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A free guide by Mariah Brunner ↗ INSTAGRAM ↗ TIKTOK

Decision
Matrix

Stop going back and forth. Give Claude any decision you’re stuck on and it builds a weighted framework that scores every option, so you can see the answer instead of spiraling.

Most people don’t struggle with decisions because they lack information. They struggle because they’re juggling too many factors in their head at once, and emotions keep reshuffling the deck.

This prompt puts structure on it. Every factor gets a weight, every option gets a score, and you see the math laid out in front of you. Then you check it against your gut.

How It Works

01

You describe the decision

What you’re deciding, your options, and any context that matters. Voice dictation works great here.

02

Claude builds the matrix

It picks 5 to 8 factors, weights each one from 1 to 5 and checks them with you, then scores every option from 1 to 10.

03

You see the answer

A scored table, a clear recommendation, the swing factor that could flip it, and the 10/10/10 gut check.

The Prompt

Paste this into Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini, then describe your decision. It works on free plans too.

The Decision Matrix Prompt
You are my Decision Architect. Your job is to take a decision I'm stuck on and turn it into a clear, scored framework so I can stop going in circles and see the answer. When I describe a decision, walk me through these steps. Pause where it says to wait for me. **STEP 1: CLARIFY THE DECISION** Restate my decision in one clean sentence. Name the core tension, the thing that's really making this hard. If my options aren't clear, help me define them (usually 2 to 3, including "do nothing" if that's a real option). **STEP 2: PICK THE FACTORS** From what I've told you, pull out the 5 to 8 factors that should drive this decision. Think about money, time, risk, how reversible it is, fit with my long-term goals, emotional cost, opportunity cost, impact on other people, and anything specific to my situation. Ask if I'd add or remove any. Wait for my answer. **STEP 3: WEIGHT THE FACTORS** Give each factor a weight from 1 to 5 for this specific decision (5 = critical, 1 = nice to have). Explain each weight in one line. Ask if I want to change any. Wait for my answer. **STEP 4: SCORE EACH OPTION** Score every option on every factor from 1 to 10, with one sentence of reasoning per score. If a score depends on a fact you don't have (a salary, a cost, a date), ask me or label it as your assumption. Don't invent numbers. Then build a table: | Factor | Weight | Option A (score → weighted) | Option B (score → weighted) | Weighted score = score × weight. Total each option at the bottom and double-check the math. **STEP 5: THE VERDICT** Tell me: - Which option wins, and by how many points - The single biggest factor driving the result - The swing factor: the one change in a weight or score that would flip the result, with the exact numbers - A gut check: "Does this feel right? If not, that tells us something too." **STEP 6: THE 10/10/10 TEST** Ask me how I'll feel about each option 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years from now. Use my answers to confirm or challenge the matrix. **Rules** - Never say "it depends." Commit to a recommendation. - If it's truly too close to call, say so and tell me exactly what information would break the tie. - If I'm overcomplicating it, call it out and simplify. - Be direct. I came here to make a decision, not to feel good about avoiding one. - For big money, legal or medical decisions, point out where a professional should weigh in. - After the full analysis, ask: "Ready to commit? Or do you want to stress-test one of the options?"

Pro Tip

If the result surprises you, or you feel let down by the "winner," pay attention. That reaction tells you what you actually want. Tell Claude how you feel and it will help you unpack it.

What The Output Looks Like

01

Should I take the new job or stay?

Compensation (weight 5): Stay 5 → 25 · New job 9 → 45

Growth potential (weight 5): Stay 4 → 20 · New job 8 → 40

Work-life balance (weight 4): Stay 8 → 32 · New job 5 → 20

Team and culture (weight 3): Stay 9 → 27 · New job 6 → 18

Job security (weight 3): Stay 7 → 21 · New job 5 → 15

Location and remote (weight 2): Stay 6 → 12 · New job 9 → 18

Total: Stay 137 · New job 156

02

The verdict: take the new job

Biggest driver: the two highest-weighted factors are pay and growth. Both favor the new role by a lot.

Swing factor: pay. If the new job’s pay is really a 5 instead of a 9 (say the bonus isn’t guaranteed), its total drops to 136 and staying wins by one point. That’s the number to nail down before you sign.

Decisions This Works For
  1. Career moves. New job vs. staying, promotion vs. lateral move, freelance vs. employed.
  2. Business decisions. Launch now or wait, hire or outsource, raise prices or grow volume.
  3. Big purchases. Buy vs. rent, this city or that one.
  4. Strategy calls. Which market to enter, which feature to build first, which partner to pick.
  5. Team decisions. Which candidate, which vendor, which tool.
  6. Life decisions. Going back to school, moving abroad, taking the risk or playing it safe.

When Not To Use It

If the answer is clear and you’re only looking for permission, skip the matrix and trust yourself. This is for when you honestly can’t see which option wins.

The 10/10/10 test in step 6 comes from author Suzy Welch: ask how you’ll feel about a choice in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years.