What to remember
- Formulate the decision before choosing a tool.
- Separate evidence, assumptions and estimates.
- Compare a small number of scenarios using the same criteria.
- Document the choice, its conditions and its review date.
What is a strategic decision?
A decision is strategic when it commits resources over time, changes the organization’s positioning or creates dependencies that are difficult to reverse. Entering a market, repositioning an offer, changing a pricing model or financing a growth trajectory belong to this category.
The expected deliverable is therefore not a collection of tables. It is a file that lets someone who was not involved retrieve the question, rejected options, sources, sensitive assumptions and reasons for the choice.
- An explicit decision question
- Two to four genuinely distinct options
- Shared criteria, weighted when necessary
- Dated sources and attributed assumptions
- A decision and its reopening conditions
The six-stage method
Start by framing the scope: who decides, by what date, within which constraints and with which level of uncertainty. Then establish an evidence base and formulate the assumptions connecting that evidence to the future.
Build coherent scenarios, compare them using identical criteria, test sensitive assumptions and finish with a recommendation that states risks, success conditions and a review plan.
- 1. Frame
Decision, decision-makers, horizon, constraints and reversibility.
- 2. Establish evidence
Sources, available data, quality and limits.
- 3. State assumptions
Uncertain variables, owner and estimation method.
- 4. Build scenarios
Coherent options rather than artificial variations.
- 5. Compare
Value, cost, risk, feasibility and sensitivity.
- 6. Decide and record
Choice, reasons, commitments and review date.
Which tools fit each question?
A decision combines several complementary dimensions. The right architecture keeps each capability distinct and then brings the results together in a shared decision file.
| Question | Useful capability | Innovatio workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Which information is authoritative? | Decision files, access, versions and decisions | Atlas |
| Which market options should be compared? | Strategic matrices and criteria | Grid |
| Which recommendation can be defended? | Scenarios, simulations and synthesis | Plot |
| What is the price-volume-cost effect? | Comparable commercial assumptions | Mix |
| Can the calculation be explained? | Documented and auditable formulas | Calc |
| Where are the dependencies? | Flows, risks and critical points | Map |
| Is the trajectory financeable? | P&L, working capital, cash and financing | Pilot |
| Who structures the web ecosystem? | Sources, actors and co-citations | Nexus, Innovatio module outside the suite |
How can the file remain defensible?
A defensible file makes uncertainty explicit. Every material figure connects to a source, formula or assumption. Every recommendation states the conditions that could challenge it.
This traceability shortens executive debates: participants can challenge evidence, an assumption or a criterion without restarting the entire analysis.
- Date sources and retain provenance
- Name the owner of every assumption
- Show at least one credible downside scenario
- Separate calculated results from interpretation
- Set an indicator or event for review
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between strategic analysis and decision support?
Analysis describes and explains a situation. Decision support adds comparable options, criteria, assumptions, consequences and a record of the trade-off.
How many scenarios should be compared?
Two to four coherent scenarios are usually enough. Beyond that, comparison becomes difficult and minor variations can hide the real choices.
What role does AI play in the decision?
AI helps structure, challenge and summarize the elements. Responsibility for the choice, criteria and commitments remains human.
What is the final deliverable?
A decision file containing the question, sources, assumptions, scenarios, comparison, risks, recommendation and review conditions.