Cheatsheet: Decision-Making and Autonomy: Trust Your Judgment in the Age of AI
A lookup card for the full course. Use it while you frame, compare, decide, and review.
Module 1: Frame the Decision and Set the Bar
1.1 Name the Real Decision with Problem Framing
Problem framing = restating a vague worry as a specific, answerable decision.
| Weak framing (avoid) | Strong framing (use) |
|---|---|
| "Should I change jobs?" | "Should I accept Offer A by the deadline, versus staying in my current role for 12 more months?" |
| "Our tooling is bad." | "Should we migrate to Tool B this quarter, or keep Tool A and add a paid add-on?" |
| "I need to be healthier." | "Should I commit to 3 gym sessions per week for the next 8 weeks?" |
Framing checklist
- What exactly is being decided? (one sentence, one choice)
- Who decides, and who is affected?
- What is the deadline or trigger?
- What is the "do nothing / status quo" option? (always an option)
- What would make this decision moot?
Tip: If your framing contains "and" joining two separate choices, split it. One decision per frame.
1.2 Goals, Constraints, and Success Criteria
| Element | Question it answers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | What outcome do I want? | Reduce time-to-hire by 20% |
| Constraint | What is non-negotiable? | Budget under $10k, must ship by Q3 |
| Success criterion | How will I know it worked? | Measurable, dated, observable |
Rules
- Separate hard constraints (cannot violate) from soft constraints (preferences with a price).
- Every goal needs a success criterion that is observable, not a feeling.
- If two goals conflict, rank them before comparing options.
| Constraint type | Test | If violated |
|---|---|---|
| Hard | Legal, safety, budget ceiling, deadline | Option is out, no debate |
| Soft | Nice to have, tradeable | Allowed, but note the cost |
1.3 Facts vs Preferences: What Counts as Evidence
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