Decision Criteria Template

Good decisions start with clear criteria. This template helps you establish what matters most so you can make consistent, values-aligned decisions.

Why Decision Criteria Matter

With clear criteria:

• Faster decisions
• More consistent decisions
• Less conflict
• Values-aligned choices
• Easier to explain decisions
• Confidence in choices

Without criteria:

• Slow, agonizing decisions
• Inconsistent choices
• More arguments
• Decisions don't reflect values
• Hard to justify decisions
• Second-guessing

When to Establish Criteria

Before Major Decisions

Establish criteria before deciding on:

• New members
• Booking opportunities
• Recording projects
• Management/representation
• Financial investments
• Band direction changes

Why: Prevents bias, ensures alignment, speeds decision

For Recurring Decisions

Establish standing criteria for:

• Which shows to accept
• Which songs make the setlist
• How to spend band funds
• What opportunities to pursue

Why: Don't reinvent the wheel each time

Decision Criteria Template

Step 1: Identify the Decision

What decision are you making?

Why does this decision matter?

What's at stake?

Step 2: Identify Must-Haves

Must-haves are non-negotiable requirements

If an option doesn't meet these, it's automatically out

Our must-haves:

Examples:

For new members:

• Must be available for our rehearsal schedule
• Must align with our values
• Must meet minimum skill level

For shows:

• Must pay at least $X
• Must be all-ages or 21+
• Must provide adequate sound

For recording:

• Must be within budget
• Must be available by deadline
• Must have experience with our genre

Step 3: Identify Nice-to-Haves

Nice-to-haves are preferences, not requirements

These help you choose between options that meet must-haves

Our nice-to-haves:

Examples:

For new members:

• Lives nearby
• Has touring experience
• Brings existing fanbase

For shows:

• Good venue reputation
• Opening for known band
• Good promotion

For recording:

• Engineer we've worked with before
• Studio has specific equipment
• Convenient location

Step 4: Weight Your Criteria

Not all criteria are equally important

Assign weight to each nice-to-have (1-5):

• 5 = Very important
• 4 = Important
• 3 = Moderately important
• 2 = Somewhat important
• 1 = Nice but not critical

Weighted nice-to-haves:

1. _______________ (Weight: ___/5)
2. _______________ (Weight: ___/5)
3. _______________ (Weight: ___/5)
4. _______________ (Weight: ___/5)
5. _______________ (Weight: ___/5)

Step 5: Define Deal-Breakers

Deal-breakers automatically disqualify an option

Even if it meets must-haves, these are automatic "no"

Our deal-breakers:

Examples:

For new members:

• History of violence or harassment
• Unwilling to sign band agreement
• Dishonest in audition process

For shows:

• Venue has safety concerns
• Promoter has bad reputation
• Conflicts with our values

For recording:

• Engineer has abusive reputation
• Studio has unethical practices
• Contract has predatory terms

Step 6: Consider Your Values

How do your band's values inform this decision?

Band Value 1: _______________ How it applies to this decision:

Band Value 2: _______________ How it applies to this decision:

Band Value 3: _______________ How it applies to this decision:

Using Your Criteria

Evaluation Matrix

Option 1: _______________

Must-Haves:

• Must-have 1
• Must-have 2
• Must-have 3
• Must-have 4
• Must-have 5

Meets all must-haves? Yes No

If no, this option is out

Nice-to-Haves:

Total Weighted Score: ___

Deal-Breakers:

• Deal-breaker 1
• Deal-breaker 2
• Deal-breaker 3

Any deal-breakers present? Yes No

If yes, this option is out

Option 2: _______________

Must-Haves:

• Must-have 1
• Must-have 2
• Must-have 3
• Must-have 4
• Must-have 5

Meets all must-haves? Yes No

Nice-to-Haves:

Total Weighted Score: ___

Deal-Breakers:

• Deal-breaker 1
• Deal-breaker 2
• Deal-breaker 3

Any deal-breakers present? Yes No

Option 3: _______________

Must-Haves:

• Must-have 1
• Must-have 2
• Must-have 3
• Must-have 4
• Must-have 5

Meets all must-haves? Yes No

Nice-to-Haves:

Total Weighted Score: ___

Deal-Breakers:

• Deal-breaker 1
• Deal-breaker 2
• Deal-breaker 3

Any deal-breakers present? Yes No

Compare Options

Options that meet must-haves and have no deal-breakers:

Highest scoring option: _______________

Gut Check

Before finalizing:

Does this decision feel right?

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

If no or unsure, why?

Is there something the criteria missed?

Do you need to adjust your criteria?

Example: Choosing a New Member

Must-Haves:

1. Available for our rehearsal schedule (Tuesdays 7-10pm)
2. Skill level: Can play our current setlist
3. Aligns with band values (professionalism, growth, fun)
4. Willing to commit to 1 year minimum
5. Can tour 2 weeks in summer

Nice-to-Haves (Weighted):

1. Lives within 30 minutes (Weight: 4)
2. Has touring experience (Weight: 3)
3. Brings existing fanbase (Weight: 2)
4. Has own equipment (Weight: 3)
5. Personality fits band chemistry (Weight: 5)

Deal-Breakers:

1. History of violence or harassment
2. Unwilling to sign band agreement
3. Dishonest about experience or availability

Candidate A: Sarah

Must-Haves: ✓ All met

Nice-to-Haves:

• Lives within 30 minutes: 5 × 4 = 20
• Touring experience: 3 × 3 = 9
• Existing fanbase: 2 × 2 = 4
• Own equipment: 5 × 3 = 15
• Personality fit: 5 × 5 = 25

Total: 73

Deal-Breakers: None

Candidate B: Mike

Must-Haves: ✓ All met

Nice-to-Haves:

• Lives within 30 minutes: 2 × 4 = 8
• Touring experience: 5 × 3 = 15
• Existing fanbase: 4 × 2 = 8
• Own equipment: 5 × 3 = 15
• Personality fit: 3 × 5 = 15

Total: 61

Deal-Breakers: None

Decision: Sarah scores higher (73 vs 61), primarily due to proximity and personality fit, which are weighted heavily. Both are good candidates, but Sarah is the better fit based on our criteria.

Example: Accepting a Show

Must-Haves:

1. Pays at least $200
2. All-ages venue
3. Adequate sound system
4. No conflicts with schedule
5. Within 2 hours of home

Nice-to-Haves (Weighted):

1. Venue has good reputation (Weight: 5)
2. Opening for known band (Weight: 4)
3. Good promotion (Weight: 4)
4. Venue provides backline (Weight: 2)
5. Venue records shows (Weight: 2)

Deal-Breakers:

1. Venue has safety concerns
2. Promoter has reputation for not paying
3. Venue conflicts with our values

Standing Criteria

For recurring decisions, establish standing criteria:

Show Acceptance Criteria

Must-Haves:

Nice-to-Haves:

1. _______________ (Weight: ___)
2. _______________ (Weight: ___)
3. _______________ (Weight: ___)

Deal-Breakers:

Minimum score to accept: ___

Setlist Selection Criteria

Must-Haves:

Nice-to-Haves:

1. _______________ (Weight: ___)
2. _______________ (Weight: ___)
3. _______________ (Weight: ___)

Deal-Breakers:

Criteria Best Practices

1. Establish Before Deciding

Why: Prevents bias toward specific option

How: Set criteria before evaluating options

2. Include All Stakeholders

Why: Ensures buy-in and diverse perspectives

How: Discuss criteria as a band

3. Be Specific

Why: Vague criteria don't guide decisions

How: Define exactly what you mean

4. Weight Appropriately

Why: Not all criteria are equal

How: Assign weights based on importance

5. Review and Adjust

Why: Criteria may need refinement

How: After decision, assess if criteria worked

6. Document Criteria

Why: Ensures consistency over time

How: Write down and reference regularly

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Too Many Criteria

Problem: Overwhelmed, can't decide

Solution: Limit to 5 must-haves, 5 nice-to-haves

Mistake 2: All Criteria Weighted Equally

Problem: Doesn't reflect what really matters

Solution: Weight criteria by importance

Mistake 3: Criteria Too Vague

Problem: Open to interpretation, inconsistent

Solution: Be specific and measurable

Mistake 4: Ignoring Gut Feeling

Problem: Criteria miss something important

Solution: Do gut check after scoring

Mistake 5: Changing Criteria Mid-Decision

Problem: Bias toward preferred option

Solution: Set criteria first, stick to them

Key Takeaways

1. Establish criteria before deciding - Prevents bias
2. Distinguish must-haves from nice-to-haves - Clarifies priorities
3. Weight your criteria - Not all factors are equal
4. Include deal-breakers - Some things are automatic "no"
5. Use evaluation matrix - Makes comparison objective
6. Do gut check - Criteria might miss something
7. Document for recurring decisions - Ensures consistency

Clear criteria make decisions faster, more consistent, and more aligned with your values. Use this template for any significant band decision.