- Each entry has a stable identifier, a date and one decision statement.
- The entry lists the options that were considered, not only the one chosen.
- The reason was written when the decision was made, not reconstructed afterwards.
- A named owner is accountable for the decision, and the entry says who was consulted.
- Each entry gives a review trigger or a review date, or states that none applies.
- A changed decision is a new entry that points to the one it replaces, and the old entry is marked superseded.
- Personal or confidential detail is linked to a restricted source rather than copied into the log.
General BusinessContent Creator
Decision log: one entry per decision, with its reasons
A decision log is a running register in which each significant decision gets its own dated entry, with a stable identifier, the reasons it was taken and an accountable owner. Its value comes from entries being kept rather than rewritten, so a decision that changes is recorded as a new entry that replaces the old one, and the reasoning at the time stays visible.
What people search
Decision log: 480 average monthly searches.Google Ads Keyword Planner · 2026-10-09 · United States
Example excerpt
Sample entries from a housing co-operative
Sample section
Sample entries for a fictional housing co-operative, Brackenridge Housing Co-op. Names and dates are invented for illustration. DL-014 | 2026-03-12 | Status: superseded by DL-019 Decision: Repairs under 150 dollars are approved by the estates coordinator without a board vote. Options considered: board approval for every repair; threshold approval by the coordinator; a standing contractor list approved once a year. Reason: board meetings are monthly, and most repairs were waiting weeks for a vote that was never in doubt. Owner: estates coordinator. Consulted: finance lead. Review trigger: any month in which repair spending exceeds the budget line. DL-019 | 2026-09-08 | Status: active. Replaces DL-014. Decision: the threshold is reduced to 100 dollars for the first quarter of 2027, pending a review of the contractor list. Reason: spending ran above budget in two of the last four months, mostly on small jobs that were approved in bulk. Owner: board treasurer. Consulted: estates coordinator. Review trigger: the January 2027 finance report.
Quality checklist
Check each entry before it is filed
Mistakes to avoid
Where decision logs stop being trusted
Writing the entry after the outcome is known
An entry written a month later tends to make the result look obvious. Record what was known when the decision was taken, and add outcome notes as a separate, dated line.
Logging the debate instead of the decision
A log that holds every argument is hard to scan. Keep the discussion in the meeting record, and log the decision, the reason and the conditions that would change it.
Editing old entries quietly
Changing an original entry hides the reasoning that was current at the time. Add a new entry and mark the old one superseded, so anyone can see what was decided and when.
Recording decisions that nobody owns
An entry without an accountable owner cannot be revisited, because nobody knows who can reopen it. If the owner is unclear, the decision is not finished, and the entry should say so.
Share the finished page
Decide who can read which entries
Team link
Share the log by team link with the people who must follow decisions affecting their work. Show the date of the latest entry at the top, so readers can see whether the log is current.
Public link
Some decisions, such as a change to a published charge or a service rule, are meant for outside readers. Publish only those entries, and keep the full log internal.
HTML download
Download the HTML file at the end of each reporting period. The dated copy shows which decisions were in force on that date, which a live page does not show once entries change.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free decision log template?
A template gives you the fields: identifier, date, decision, options, reasons, owner and review trigger. Those fields are the useful part, so keep them even if you change the layout. Write the reasons yourself, because only the people who made the decision can record them accurately.
What is the difference between a decision log and meeting minutes?
Minutes record what happened at a meeting, including attendance and discussion. A decision log records each decision on its own, with a stable identifier, so it can be cited after the meeting has faded from memory. Link each entry back to the minutes that record its discussion.
Can I keep a decision log in a spreadsheet or Word?
A spreadsheet or word processor is still the right home for a live register that people edit. Content Creator then generates one HTML page from the approved wording, which you can share by link or download.
How long should old decision entries be kept?
Keep them for as long as someone may need to explain the decision. The right period depends on the type of decision and on the rules that apply to your records, so ask your own records manager or legal adviser for the retention period.
Browse by category
More reports in General Business
Reports
Investor Update
Reports
SWOT Analysis
Reports
Business Model Canvas
Decks
Board Deck
References
FAQ Page
Documents
Digital Document
How to build it
Follow the eight-step wizard: type, assets and description, images, branding, contact and call to action, Atty Suggestions, blueprint, and generate. Atty generates one HTML page in the background. Review it, then publish and share the page link or download the HTML file.
