Executive Communication

Decision Memo Template

Document a decision being made or proposed.

When to use

Any significant decision.

Audience: Decision-makers and affected parties.

Template structure

  1. Step 1
    Decision

    What was/is being decided.

  2. Step 2
    Context

    Background.

  3. Step 3
    Options Considered

    What else was evaluated.

  4. Step 4
    Reasoning

    Why this option.

  5. Step 5
    Trade-offs

    What we're giving up.

Example

...

Best practices

  • Document the reasoning; future you will thank you.

Customization guidance

Treat this template as a starting structure, not a script. Adapt the section order to match how your audience expects information — for example, lead with the recommendation for time-pressed executives, or with context when writing to less-familiar stakeholders. Replace placeholder language with specifics from your situation; substitute jargon with the vocabulary your reader actually uses; and shorten or expand sections based on the decision weight of the communication. The structure exists to ensure you have covered what matters, not to constrain how you communicate.

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