Project Management Decision Log: How to Manage Decisions Effectively

What is a Project Management Decision Log?

A project management decision log is a document that records all the decisions that were taken during a project, who was involved in the decision-making process, and the rationale for the decisions. This document should be kept up-to-date throughout the life of the project and should be referred to when considering any changes to the project.

Why Do You Need a Decision Log?

A decision log is an important tool for any successful project. It provides a central location to record and document decisions that have been taken, and it can help to ensure that decisions are made in a consistent manner. It also helps to keep track of the rationale behind decisions, which is useful when considering changes to the project later on.

How to Develop a Decision Log

When creating a decision log template, it is important to consider the following key elements:

• Project Name: This should be the name of the project for which the decision log is being developed.
• Decision Name: This should identify the specific decision that has been taken.
• Decision Maker: This should identify the individual or team responsible for the decision.
• Date: This should identify the date when the decision was taken.
• Rationale: This should provide an explanation of the rationale behind the decision.
• Impact: This should identify any potential impacts that the decision may have on the project.

Benefits of Using a Decision Log Template

A decision log template provides a number of benefits. It helps to ensure that decisions are made in a consistent and informed manner, which can help to improve the overall quality of the project. It also helps to ensure that decisions are tracked and documented, which is useful later on when considering any changes to the project. Finally, it can help to prevent issues such as conflicting decisions or incorrect decision-making.

Conclusion

A project management decision log is an important tool for any successful project. It helps to ensure that decisions are made in a consistent and informed manner, as well as helping to document and track decisions. A decision log template can also help to prevent issues such as conflicting decisions or incorrect decision-making.