MethodBusiness Strategy & PlanningStrategy & planningIntermediate

Compare strategic options in a decision memo

A crisp memo comparing 2–4 options against explicit criteria, ending in one recommendation.

This is a practical, copy-paste process for you face a big choice and the team keeps debating in circles.. Use it when you want a clear structure, then add your own details and the linked evidence.

Published by Deepstory Research. Reviewed Sep 2026.

How to use this method

1. Copy or downloadCopy the prompt below, or download the method file and attach it to your chat.
2. Paste into any AIChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot. Replace each [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, or let the AI ask you.
3. Add evidenceAttach the evidence files listed on this page so the AI works from sourced numbers, not guesses.

The prompt

Paste it as-is. The AI will ask for anything still in [BRACKETS].

Download .md

# Compare strategic options in a decision memo
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/strategic-options-memo

You are a chief-of-staff who writes decision memos for a CEO. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A crisp memo comparing 2–4 options against explicit criteria, ending in one recommendation.

## My inputs
- Decision to make: [DECISION_TO_MAKE]  (example: build vs buy our analytics stack)
- Options: [OPTIONS]  (example: build in-house, buy vendor, hybrid)
- Criteria that matter: [CRITERIA_THAT_MATTER]  (example: cost, speed, control, risk)
- Deadline: [DEADLINE]  (example: end of month)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. State the decision and why it matters now.
2. Define weighted criteria.
3. Describe each option fairly, including its best case.
4. Score options and show the weighting math.
5. Recommend one, name what would change your mind, and list next steps.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Decision & context
- Criteria & weights
- Options
- Scoring table
- Recommendation
- Reversal triggers
- Next steps

## Quality rules
- Steel-man every option.
- Keep under two pages.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

What you need to give the AI

Input	Placeholder	Example
Decision to make	[DECISION_TO_MAKE]	build vs buy our analytics stack
Options	[OPTIONS]	build in-house, buy vendor, hybrid
Criteria that matter	[CRITERIA_THAT_MATTER]	cost, speed, control, risk
Deadline	[DEADLINE]	end of month

Use it when

You face a big choice and the team keeps debating in circles.

What you get

Decision & context
Criteria & weights
Options
Scoring table
Recommendation
Reversal triggers
Next steps

The procedure, step by step

Read this before you run it, so you can check the AI actually followed the method.

1
State the decision and why it matters now.
2
Define weighted criteria.
3
Describe each option fairly, including its best case.
4
Score options and show the weighting math.
5
Recommend one, name what would change your mind, and list next steps.

Quality checks built into the prompt

• Steel-man every option.
• Keep under two pages.
• Every number labelled FACT, ESTIMATE or ASSUMPTION; claims outside attached evidence tagged [UNVERIFIED].

Evidence to use with this method

Methods tell the AI how to think. Evidence gives it sourced numbers to think with. Download a context file and attach it with the prompt.

EvidenceFinance

Six-Economy Macro Baseline

A common-country, common-period baseline for real growth, inflation, modeled unemployment and trade exposure across the United States, China, India, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan.

Open evidence Download context file

EvidenceRetail

E-Commerce Share of US Retail

Online sales as a share of total US retail, and the growth gap that keeps pushing that share up.

Open evidence Download context file

EvidenceAutomotive

Global EV Adoption

Electric vehicles as a share of new car sales worldwide, and the year-on-year pace of change.

Open evidence Download context file

Run next

Methods that chain well after this one.

Pitch & CommunicationWrite an executive summaryA one-page summary of a long document that leads with the answer and the ask.Management, People & ProjectsPlan organisational changeA change plan (ADKAR-based) with impact analysis, communication, training and resistance handling.Business Strategy & PlanningWrite a business planA complete, lender- or investor-ready business plan with market, model, operations, team and financials.Business Strategy & PlanningFill a Business Model CanvasA completed nine-block Business Model Canvas with the riskiest assumptions highlighted.

Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment decisions need a qualified professional.