Conversational decision patterns¶
A pattern does not decide for you. It structures a recurring conversation so the decision, evidence, rights, action and learning no longer remain implicit.
This area activates Decision Patterns and Decision Anti-patterns as a candidate CDI-BoK taxonomy. It does not claim five patterns cover every decision or improve results. It exposes minimum reasoning and helps teams select the least complex structure for the current blocker.
Problem addressed¶
| Moment | Control question | Candidate pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | What decision and priority are at stake? | Decision contract |
| Ground | What do we know, from where, and what is uncertain? | Evidence boundary |
| Deliberate | What material alternatives survive challenge? | Option challenge |
| Commit | Who decides and what governed action follows? | Decision–action handoff |
| Learn | What changed between expectation and result? | Expectation–result review |
This is not a mandatory sequence. Skip already-satisfied moves. Missing material evidence or authority may correctly end in abstention or escalation.
Quick selection¶
| Observable signal | Start with | Stop if |
|---|---|---|
| “Analyze” has no choice | Decision contract | No owner, alternative or deadline emerges |
| Same metric has different meanings | Evidence boundary | Definition or permission cannot be resolved |
| Only one preferred option exists | Option challenge | Alternatives would be artificial or an emergency rule applies |
| Recommendation exists but no action follows | Decision–action handoff | The participant lacks resource authority |
| Horizon ended and expectations differ | Expectation–result review | No prior snapshot; only exploratory review is possible |
Match rigor to risk¶
Use the minimum move for low-risk reversible choices; add sources, alternatives, guardrails and explicit approval for medium risk; require expert review, stronger evidence, permission, traceability and a non-automated path for high risk, low reversibility or rights impact.
Two catalogs, one discipline¶
The pattern catalog describes structures that may advance a decision. The anti-pattern catalog describes recurring behaviors that impair traceability, control or learning. The language and template governs new entries. The B2B walkthrough demonstrates that a protocol must stop before inventing an owner or outcome.
Authority boundaries¶
This candidate derives from PULSE without redefining it; implements an institutional taxonomy, not an academic standard; separates reuse, conformance and effectiveness; does not require a conversational interface; and grants no AI system implicit decision or execution rights.