Updated: 31 October 2026

Write a decision memo

This prompt writes a memo for an audience such as your leadership team. You give the decision needed and the options considered, and it structures the recommendation.

text-decision-memo — chatgpt — 48 words

Write a decision memo for [AUDIENCE, e.g. our leadership team].

Decision needed: [DECISION]
Options considered: [OPTIONS]
Facts and numbers: [DATA]
Deadline: [DATE]

Structure: recommendation first, then context, options with pros, cons and cost, risks, what happens if we do nothing, and the exact approval requested. Maximum one page.

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State the recommendation in the first two lines so busy readers can stop there.

Get a better result

What you will get

A one-page memo with the recommendation first, then context, options with pros, cons and cost, risks, what happens if nothing is done and the exact approval being requested.

Why it works

Busy readers decide from the top, so the memo puts the recommendation first, as the tip says. Options with pros, cons and cost, plus what happens if nothing is done, make the trade-off clear. One page and an exact approval request keep it actionable.

Common mistake

The recommendation is buried.

Fix: Tell it the first two lines must state the decision and the ask, with the reasoning after.

Also watch for

The options are not equal. Give each option the same fields, such as cost, time and risk, so the comparison looks fair.
It runs past one page. Cut background that readers already know. Ask for the memo at 350 words or fewer.

Try a variation: add a reversibility note

Ask for a line saying how easy it would be to undo each option, since reversible decisions can be made faster.

Still not right? Reply with this

A sceptical reader raised these three objections: [OBJECTIONS]. Answer each one in two or three sentences and add the answers to the memo.