Decision Log Template for Project Management

Keep your project decisions organized and accessible with this structured decision log. Track key decisions, document rationale, and maintain clear accountability across your team.

Decision Log Template

A decision log is a crucial project management tool that systematically records and tracks important decisions made throughout a project's lifecycle. This structured document helps teams maintain clarity, ensure accountability, and provide historical context for key project choices.

What This Template Is For

This decision log template helps project teams document and track critical decisions in a standardized format. It's designed to capture essential information including decision context, stakeholders involved, rationale, and implementation details. The template ensures no crucial details are missed and makes it easy to reference past decisions when needed.

When To Use This Template

Use this decision log template when:

  • Starting new projects with multiple stakeholders
  • Managing long-term initiatives where decisions need tracking
  • Working with distributed teams who need asynchronous updates
  • Documenting important strategic or technical choices
  • Creating an audit trail for compliance purposes

How To Customize It

Follow these steps to customize your decision log:

  1. Add your project name and key stakeholders at the top
  2. Adjust the decision categories based on your project needs
  3. Customize the impact assessment criteria
  4. Add relevant approval workflows if required
  5. Include project-specific reference fields
  6. Modify the status tracking options

Common Use Cases

The decision log template is valuable across various scenarios:

  • Software development architecture decisions
  • Product feature prioritization
  • Resource allocation choices
  • Risk management decisions
  • Vendor selection processes

Best Practices

To maximize the effectiveness of your decision log:

  • Update entries in real-time during meetings
  • Include all relevant stakeholders
  • Document both accepted and rejected options
  • Link to supporting documentation
  • Review regularly with the team

Template Variations

Adapt this template for specific needs:

  • Executive Decision Log
  • Technical Decision Record
  • Product Development Decisions
  • Change Management Log

Success Stories

Teams using this decision log template have reported:

  • 50% reduction in decision-related conflicts
  • Improved project transparency
  • Faster onboarding of new team members
  • Better alignment across departments

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should the decision log be updated?

Update the decision log immediately after each significant decision is made, ideally during or right after the meeting where the decision occurred.

Who should maintain the decision log?

The project manager or designated team lead should maintain the log, but all team members should have access to view and reference it.

What decisions should be included in the log?

Include any decision that has a significant impact on the project, affects multiple stakeholders, or might need to be referenced later.