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U-Turn vs. Cliff Edge

Not every decision deserves the same process. Some can be reversed on Tuesday if you're wrong. Some can't. Use this worksheet before your next call to figure out which one you're actually facing — then match the process to the stakes, not the other way around.

The decision on the table
Step 1 — Check what's true about this decision

Tick every box that applies. Be honest about the ones you're tempted to skip — those are usually the ones that matter most.

U-TURN SIGNALS
Reversible. Cheap to undo. Low blast radius.
0
CLIFF EDGE SIGNALS
Hard to reverse. Expensive to undo. Wide blast radius.
0
Check a few boxes above to get a read on which kind of decision you're facing.
Step 2 — Match the process to the answer

Fill in based on which side won above. If it's close, treat it as a Cliff Edge — the cost of over-processing a U-Turn is a delay; the cost of under-processing a Cliff Edge is the thing the book is about.

If U-Turn: who's empowered to just decide, and by when? If Cliff Edge: who needs a real seat in the Debate Phase before this locks?
What would change your mind?
Who's most likely to see this differently — and have you actually asked them?
Commitment line (fill in once the room has actually debated it)
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