The Open
Decisions Tool

For everyday decisions that can be easily reversed inform relevant parties.

It is unrealistic to follow a detailed process for every decision. For example, simple decisions—where to order food for the next team meeting, how to organize a document, whether to rename a file—are unlikely to have a significant impact on others.

Practice basic transparency and courtesy with these types of decisions, by simply:

1. announcing your decision or intention
2. announcing when it will be implemented
3. inviting your team to share concerns prior to, during, and after its implementation

If those conversations reveal that your decision or action is more complex than it seemed, it’s time for a more structured process.

This will be a team effort from start to finish.

Your stakeholders will vary and clear expectations for feedback will be a top priority. In-person meetings or short surveys will help you gain stakeholder feedback effectively. This project’s wider reach will require close collaboration with subject matter experts and team leaders of those who will be resistant or impacted by change. Be prepared to present several solutions to meet diverse needs. Send regular updates to ensure changes have their desired effect.

This project doesn't require much external input - you're keeping it simple.

You can probably do this on your own with minimal feedback from stakeholders. These stakeholders are likely colleagues you trust to provide guidance and support, rather than buy-in and heavy editing. You can keep your stakeholders in the loop when it comes to major milestones and address any concerns with a team meeting, 1:1 conversations, or a quick email. In this case, you're the one who's calling most of the shots.

Red Hat rationale will be the foundation behind every decision.

Stakeholders will live far and wide - you'll need the Stakeholder Assessment to identify who and where your stakeholders are. All feedback (even that which isn't used) is addressed in a consolidated format, through an intranet, email, or survey. Proactively address concerns to change directly and engage key leaders responsible for this change if resistance is persistent. Consistent updates help maintain stakeholder buy-in and create a foundation for long-term sustainability.