päätösloki

Päätösloki, meaning "decision log" in Finnish, is a record of the choices made during a project or process. It serves as a transparent and auditable history of significant decisions, outlining the problem, the options considered, the chosen solution, and the rationale behind it. This practice is particularly valuable in complex projects where multiple stakeholders are involved or where decisions have long-term implications.

The creation of a päätösloki typically involves documenting the context of the decision, including the specific issue or opportunity that necessitated it. It then lists the alternative courses of action that were evaluated. For each alternative, key factors such as potential benefits, risks, costs, and feasibility are often considered. The selected decision is clearly stated, followed by a detailed explanation of why it was chosen over the other options. This rationale is crucial for understanding the thinking process and for future reference.

Benefits of maintaining a päätösloki include improved accountability, as it clearly shows who made which decisions and why. It also enhances communication by providing a central source of truth for all parties involved. Furthermore, it aids in risk management by documenting potential pitfalls and the reasoning behind mitigation strategies. In situations where a project needs to pivot or adapt, the päätösloki can offer valuable insights into past choices and their outcomes, helping to inform new decisions. It also serves as a useful tool for onboarding new team members or for post-project reviews.