Decision Memory
12 rules across 5 shapes, 10 of them proven against a reading — and 132 reuses between them. That reuse number is the only honest measure of whether this is a memory or a diary.
Concerns raised in meetings were lost by the time drawings were revised
The ruleIn writing, to the drawing owner, copy one witness. Never verbally first.
Before31% of concerns changed a drawingAfter58% of concerns changed a drawingover two quartersRaising a concern at 60% confidence felt unprofessional, so people waited
The ruleState the concern with its confidence attached: 'I am 60% on this, and here is why.'
Before4 concerns a month before tenderAfter7 concerns a month before tenderover five monthsA client asked us to soften a report's findings
The ruleWe revise wording, never the finding. The finding lives in its own numbered section that is not edited.
BeforeNo rule; handled case by case, twice badlyAfterUsed four times, no client lostover one yearNobody knew which clients would recommend us, so nobody asked
The ruleOne line in every closing email asking for a single introduction. Every time, forever.
Before1 referral a quarterAfter4 referrals a quarterover four monthsThere was never a quiet week to write the templates in
The ruleOne section per matter, written during the matter. Never scheduled as its own task.
BeforeTemplates unstarted for 14 monthsAfterFour templates done in six weeksover six weeksMeasures quietly went stale and nobody noticed until a review
The ruleAny measure not updated in 30 days is flagged on the board, not quietly stale.
Before4 of 8 measures over 30 days oldAfter0 of 8 over 30 days oldover three monthsThe fourth consecutive site morning was where people started making mistakes
The ruleSleep is the job. Lights out at eight on site nights, defended like a delivery.
Before2 of 5 mornings sharpAfter5 of 5 mornings sharpover two monthsIn reviews the loudest two people consumed the whole hour
The ruleNo open questions for the first ten minutes. Questions go to named people chosen before the meeting.
Before2 of 9 engineers spokeAfter7 of 9 engineers spokeover two monthsOur indemnity insurer objected to published prices and to concern confidences
The rulePublish ranges with the scope beside them, cleared once by the insurer, then never re-litigated.
BeforeEvery price a separate approvalAfterOne clearance, reused 6 timesover three monthsReports were being written more gently than the conversation that produced them
The ruleIf we would not say it to the client's face, it does not go in the report either — in either direction.
BeforeTwo reports contradicted their own meetingsAfterNo contradictions in five monthsover five monthsTwo clients together are most of the revenue, and everyone knows it
The ruleNo client above 20% of revenue. Decline new work from one that is, rather than grow it.
BeforeLargest client 28%AfterLargest client 22% — but one quarter is not a trendno window yetFacade work went to subcontractors who missed deadlines and could not be stood behind
The ruleFacade judgement is in-house or the job is declined.
Before3 of 5 facade packages lateAfterNot enough jobs since to readno window yet
A rule with no reading behind it stays readable but never reaches the priority queue. That line is the difference between a memory that compounds and one that just remembers whatever was said most recently.