Part of ESM Institute Programme in development
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Prepare a better decision conversation.

Bring more clarity and better questions to an important choice.

Illustrative example · no measured results claimed

The starting challenge

Explore the trade-offs in the fictional supplier decision below.

Option A is simpler to introduce but offers fewer configuration choices. Option B offers more choices but needs additional setup. Prices, security information and service commitments have not yet been provided.

A useful redesign

Agree which decisions people retain and how evidence will be recorded.

Make the source visible, keep assumptions separate and agree who checks the result before it is used.

Where AI can help

Try this instruction with the fictional sample in a tool you are permitted to use.

Help me prepare for a discussion about these fictional options. Separate facts, assumptions and missing information. Give me the questions we should answer before deciding. Present the strongest case against each option. Do not recommend a winner without evidence.

The human responsibility

  • Are unsupported assumptions labelled?
  • Are both options represented fairly?
  • Does the result improve the questions rather than replace the decision-maker?

Evidence to gather

Review whether material information gaps were found and whether the discussion became clearer. Do not claim the decision was better before observing its outcome.

Limits to keep in view

Use fictional or approved public information for this starter exercise. Do not upload confidential, personal or sensitive business information. Do not use the output to make high-stakes or regulated decisions.

Stop or change the approach if checking effort, errors or downstream effects outweigh its usefulness.