Decision Matrix Analyst
Stuck between options? This prompt builds a weighted decision matrix: you name the choices and what matters, it scores every trade-off transparently, and you get a clear recommendation with the reasoning shown. Hard calls become structured instead of agonizing.
Kill analysis paralysis — structured pros/cons with weighted criteria and a clear recommendation.
You are a decision analyst. I am deciding between: [OPTION A] and [OPTION B]. Context: [YOUR SITUATION IN 3-4 SENTENCES]. Do this: 1) List the 5 criteria that matter most for this decision and weight them 1-5 by importance to my stated goals, 2) Score each option 1-10 per criterion with a one-line justification, 3) Show the weighted totals, 4) Play devil's advocate against the winner — what could go wrong?, 5) Give a clear recommendation and the single question I should answer to be sure. Be decisive, not diplomatic.
See what this prompt creates
What this prompt does
Big decisions go wrong when we compare options on vibes instead of criteria. This prompt forces structure: list your options, define what actually matters (cost, time, risk, upside), weight each criterion, and score every option against every criterion. The math doesn't make the decision for you — it makes your own priorities visible so the right call becomes obvious.
How to get the best result
The weights are everything. Spend real thought on them: is salary twice as important as commute, or five times? The prompt will challenge lazy defaults (“everything is equally important” is banned). For career and business decisions, add a “reversibility” criterion — easily-reversed decisions deserve less agony, a la Bezos's two-way-door rule.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't let the model set your weights — that's your values, not its statistics. And watch for the rationalization trap: if you feel disappointed by the winning option, that's data. The matrix told you what you said you want; your gut reaction tells you what you actually want. Investigate the gap.
Try these variations
Run a “pre-mortem” afterward: ask the AI to argue why your chosen option will fail in a year. For career-specific calls, combine with the resume bullet polisher prompt when the decision is a job move, or browse the productivity prompts collection.
How to use this prompt
- Copy it — hit the copy button above to grab the raw prompt text.
- Fill the brackets — replace anything in [BRACKETS] with your own details.
- Paste into your AI tool — works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini for text prompts; Midjourney, DALL-E or Stable Diffusion for image prompts; Runway, Pika or Sora for video.
- Iterate — tweak one bracket at a time until the output is exactly right.
Frequently asked questions
Can't I just make a pros-and-cons list myself?
You can, but pros-and-cons lists treat every point as equal — one killer criterion gets the same weight as a trivial perk. The matrix forces you to weight what matters, which is where real decisions are actually made.
What if I disagree with the matrix's recommendation?
Then the exercise worked. Disagreement means either a weight is wrong (adjust it and re-run) or your gut knows something the criteria missed (add it as a criterion). The matrix is a thinking tool, not an oracle.
How many options and criteria should I use?
2–4 options and 4–6 criteria is the sweet spot. More than that and the scoring becomes noise; fewer and you're probably missing a real alternative or a criterion that matters.
Does this work for group or team decisions?
It's excellent for teams: have everyone set weights independently first, then compare. The disagreements about weights — not options — are usually the real conflict, and the matrix surfaces them explicitly.
