(2020-01-12) Cutler Document Three Options

John Cutler: Three Options. Say a team brainstorms potential solutions and has fifty options. That might suggest that the playing field is too broad. Suggest the team narrows it a bit. If you find the right opportunity resolution you'll have fewer compelling options.

Three options is also great for finding the right resolution for a team mission. Can the team identify at least three different ways to achieve the goal? If the team is tacking on a goal for outcome theater, well...the goal isn't very helpful. Call the kettle black and build X. That's your bet. Did it work?

Explaining rejected options provides important context. It conveys rigor and decision making integrity.

Consider documenting: What options did you consider but ultimately reject? Why? What might change that would inspire the team to reconsider those options? Walk through your assumptions. Describe your confidence levels. When will you revisit the current selected option? (product management)