Beslutstiden

Beslutstiden, literally “the decision time,” is a concept used in management, governance and public administration to describe the period from the initiation of a decision process to its final outcome. It encompasses all activities required to arrive at a decision, including information gathering, analysis, consultation, and formal approval or dissemination of the decision. The term is used across sectors such as government, procurement, project management and organizational governance to assess how quickly decisions are made and implemented.

Measurement of beslutstiden typically involves defining a starting point and an ending point. Common starting points include when a decision request is submitted or when a formal mandate to decide is issued. Ending points can be when the decision is communicated, published, or takes effect. Metrics are often reported as average or median durations, with distributional insights such as ranges or percentiles to reflect variation across cases.

Several factors influence beslutstiden. The complexity of the issue, the availability and quality of information, the number and roles of involved stakeholders, and the rules governing authority and escalation all play a role. Legal deadlines, procurement rules, and the need for consultations can extend the time. Conversely, clear decision rights, standardized processes, and automation can shorten it.

In practice, beslutstiden is used as a performance indicator to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability, while balancing speed with thoroughness, due process, and quality of outcomes. Context matters, as expectations and requirements differ between public sector decisions, corporate governance, and project-based environments. See also lead time, cycle time, decision-making.