Decision Doors
Recognizing one-way and two-way door decisions
Recognizing one-way and two-way door decisions
When making product development decisions, Amazon uses a tool we like to call 'Decision Doors'. This tool helps to distinguish between one-way door decisions and two-way door decisions.
One-way door decisions are not irreversible and need to be made carefully. Two-way door decisions can be reversed, and so can be made more quickly or even automated.
Even if a decision is one-way, there are ways of limiting risk. For example, by getting better at recognizing what kind of decision it is that needs to be made.
This tool can be applied in any number of situations beyond product development. So, the next time you're stuck on a decision, ask yourself: is this a one-way door or a two-way door?
The DACI framework is a simple, yet effective way to quickly identify roles and responsibilities in a decision making process.
Track the forces at work as your company absorbs a change after a decision
Confidently understand your blindspots through defining known and unknown risks
