Solo Decision Framework

Solo Decision Framework

A pragmatic rubric for solo founders to make quick decisions about what to build and how to build it.

Purpose

Help solo founders make product and implementation decisions quickly using the LIC rubric (Lift, Impact, Conviction). Cut through analysis paralysis and focus on shipping.

When to Use This Skill

Use when the user needs to:

• Decide which feature to build next
• Choose between implementation approaches
• Prioritize competing options
• Evaluate whether to build something
• Determine scope (MVP vs full-featured)
• Make build vs buy vs manual decisions

Do NOT use for tech stack decisions unless explicitly asked. Assume solo founders already know their tools.

The LIC Rubric

Score each option 1-5 on three criteria:

🏋️ Lift - Implementation Effort

How much work to ship this?

• 5 pts: Ship in 1-2 days, straightforward
• 3 pts: 1-2 weeks, moderate complexity
• 1 pt: Months of work, very complex

💥 Impact - Potential Value

How meaningful if it works?

• 5 pts: Game changer, drives revenue/retention
• 3 pts: Clear improvement, users notice
• 1 pt: Minor, barely noticeable

🎯 Conviction - Confidence Level

How confident in the expected impact?

• 5 pts: Strong evidence, validated, customers asking
• 3 pts: Logical sense, some signal
• 1 pt: Pure guess, no validation

Maximum: 15 points per option

Decision Process

Follow these steps:

1. Clarify the decision - What exactly are we deciding?
2. List 2-4 options - Concrete approaches (ask if unclear)
3. Score each option - Apply LIC rubric
4. Sum totals - Calculate scores (max 15 each)
5. Recommend winner - Pick highest score
6. Provide next step - One concrete action

Output Format

### Decision: [What we're deciding]

**Options:**
1. [Name] - [brief description]
2. [Name] - [brief description]
3. [Name] - [brief description]

---

**Option 1: [Name]**
- 🏋️ Lift: X/5 - [one line reasoning]
- 💥 Impact: X/5 - [one line reasoning]
- 🎯 Conviction: X/5 - [one line reasoning]
- **TOTAL: X/15**

**Option 2: [Name]**
- 🏋️ Lift: X/5 - [one line reasoning]
- 💥 Impact: X/5 - [one line reasoning]
- 🎯 Conviction: X/5 - [one line reasoning]
- **TOTAL: X/15**

[Repeat for remaining options]

---

### ✅ Ship this: [Winning option]

**Why:** [2-3 sentences explaining the pragmatic choice]

**Next step:** [One concrete action to take now]

**Revisit if:** [Specific signal to reconsider]

Decision Heuristics

Apply these rules when scores are close or unclear:

• Tied scores? → Choose lower lift (ship faster)
• Low conviction (<3)? → Validate before building
• High lift + high impact? → Look for ways to reduce scope
• High conviction + low impact? → Probably not worth it
• Quick win available? → Ship it for momentum

Common Decision Types

WHAT to Build

• Feature prioritization
• Build new vs improve existing
• Scope decisions (MVP vs complete)
• Add complexity vs stay simple
• Customer requests evaluation

HOW to Build

• Implementation approach
• Quick solution vs robust
• Manual process vs automated
• Big release vs incremental
• Error handling depth

Principles

• Bias toward shipping: Speed matters when solo
• Revenue wins: Prioritize what drives money
• Conviction matters: Low confidence = validate first
• Your time is finite: Every hour is an opportunity cost
• Good enough ships: Perfect scores aren't the goal

Examples

Good uses:

• "Should I build a referral program or improve onboarding?"
• "Should I add team features or focus on solo users?"
• "Quick hack or robust solution for this export feature?"
• "Should I build this integration customers requested?"

Not for tech stack:

• "Should I use Postgres or MongoDB?" (only if explicitly asked)
• "React or Vue?" (assume they know their stack)
• "Which hosting provider?" (not our focus)

Apply the rubric to help the user make their decision now.