- Published
- 8 October 2026
- Last reviewed
- 8 October 2026
Describe the decision
Write the choice the team needs to make and the user task it affects. State the context and the person responsible for confirming the decision. Keep the record focused on one clear choice so another person can understand it later.
In a fictional course-selection design, the team is deciding whether to show programme summaries before or after the date filter. The question concerns how people choose a relevant route, not simply which layout looks more attractive.
Record the alternatives and evidence
Describe the meaningful options and the evidence available for each. Include relevant observations, prototype findings and known constraints. Link to authorised records instead of copying private research material into a broadly shared document.
GOV.UK describes testing different designs through prototypes. This RDE template provides a place to record what that exploration informed. It does not prescribe a scoring system or claim that one design will suit every situation.
State uncertainty and trade-offs
Record what is not yet known and what each option makes easier or harder. Identify any accessibility, content or operational question that needs further work. A decision can be reasonable while still carrying limitations.
The team might choose clearer programme summaries while planning another test of the filter wording. Record the reason and the outstanding question. Do not make missing evidence disappear from the record once an option has been selected.
Set a review trigger
Write the chosen option, owner and follow-up action. State when the decision should be revisited, such as after a relevant usability finding or a change in service scope. Keep the record with the team’s known design material.
Download the PDF or Word template and complete it for a fictional decision. Ask another person to explain the rationale using the record alone. If they cannot identify the evidence or remaining uncertainty, improve the record before treating it as complete.
Source and practice note
The linked official guidance provides background. Examples, exercises and record layouts are original RDE learning material. Use fictional content for practice and follow your organisation’s research, accessibility and information-handling procedures.
Cover image: AI-generated illustrative scene created specifically for this resource.
Download and complete the exercise
Download the editable Word document
Printable PDF and editable Word document. Version 2.0, 8 October 2026. Personal and internal organisational adaptation permitted with Jefferson Otonbara Imgbi author credit retained.