Scenarios + ASCEND lead magnet
Decision Readiness Scorecard
A practical scorecard for leaders who need to know whether their people can apply policy, explain judgement and act safely when the case is difficult.
Use this as a conversation starter, not a certification
There is no magic readiness number. Use the prompts to identify where people, policy, information, workflow or management support may be making good decisions harder than they need to be.
01
Understanding
People need more than awareness of a policy. They need to find and interpret the evidence relevant to the case in front of them.
- Can people identify the policy, evidence and constraints that matter in an unfamiliar case?
- Is the guidance clear about exceptions, boundaries and when local judgement is expected?
- Can people explain what information is missing before they act?
02
Judgement
The useful test is not whether someone can repeat the process. It is whether they can choose a proportionate action and explain why.
- Can people distinguish a routine case from one that needs escalation or additional evidence?
- Can they explain the trade-offs and consequences behind the decision?
- Do managers have a way to review reasoning without turning every decision into a tick-box exercise?
03
Operational behaviour
A sound decision still needs to be recorded, communicated and followed through in the operating environment.
- Can people record the decision and reasoning in the system the service actually uses?
- Do they know when and how to escalate, seek advice or pause a decision?
- Does the workflow support the behaviour the policy expects?
04
Improvement evidence
Readiness evidence should improve the system as well as the person. Repeated patterns are signals for better guidance, case design or coaching.
- Can we see which decision types create the most uncertainty or inconsistent reasoning?
- Can targeted practice and feedback be linked to the gaps that matter?
- Do leaders know what evidence would justify a wider rollout or a change in support?