Explaining what was decided.
WHAT TO STATE
The decision Who made it When it takes effect Why What it means for the reader
WHY NAMING THE DECIDER MATTERS
Decisions attributed to nobody are resisted.
WHAT TO INCLUDE ABOUT REASONING
Enough that reasonable people can follow it.
WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE
Every consideration Confidential information
WHAT TO DO ABOUT OPTIONS NOT CHOSEN
Acknowledge them, briefly, with why.
WHY
It shows they were considered, which is most of what people want.
WHAT TO AVOID
Presenting a decision as a consultation Consulting after deciding
WHY
It is transparent and it damages trust.
WHAT TO DO IF IT WAS GENUINELY CONSULTATIVE
Say how the input affected the outcome.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT DISAGREEMENT
Acknowledge it exists, and restate the decision.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Pretend consensus where there is none.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
A route to raise concerns.
WHAT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT
Whether the decision is open to change.
WHY
Ambiguity produces continued lobbying.
WHAT TO RECORD
The decision and its reasoning, somewhere findable.
WHY
It will be questioned in a year, by someone who was not there.
