7 Decision-Making Frameworks Every Founder Should Use

A founder's job is mostly making decisions under uncertainty. Frameworks do not make decisions for you, but they stop you making the same mistakes twice.

1. One-way vs two-way doors

Reversible decisions should be made fast. Irreversible ones deserve time.

2. Expected value

Multiply the likely payoff by its probability. It keeps you honest about long shots.

3. The pre-mortem

Imagine the decision failed a year from now. Why? Fix those risks today.

4. Opportunity cost

Every yes is a no to something else. Name the something else.

5. The 10/10/10 test

How will you feel about this in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years?

6. Inversion

Ask what would guarantee failure, then avoid it.

7. Disagree and commit

Once decided, the team executes fully, even those who argued against.

Practising daily

Frameworks only work if they are top of mind. Alux lessons revisit ideas like these regularly. For more, read 10 mental models every founder should install and why entrepreneurs need mental models.

Where to find Alux: visit the official site at alux.com, download on the App Store, or get it on Google Play. For more depth, read our full Alux app review and the current Alux pricing breakdown.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best decision framework? Reversible vs irreversible is the most useful starting point for most founders.

How do I get better at decisions? Use a few frameworks consistently and review past decisions.