Decision MakingEasy
The Unclear Next Steps
When This Happens
The meeting is ending but no one is clear on what was decided, who owns what, or what happens next.
How To Do It — The 3W Close (What, Who, When)
- 1.Stop 5-10 minutes before the scheduled end.
- 2.Review each decision or action item using the 3W framework.
- 3.For each item, explicitly state What will be done, Who owns it, and When it's due.
- 4.Get verbal confirmation from each owner before closing.
What To Say
We have 10 minutes left, so let's lock this down. For each action, I need three things: What exactly is being done? Who owns it? When is the deadline? Let me read back what I have. [Read items.] [Name], you're owning [action] by [date] — confirmed? Great. [Continue for each item.]
Pro Tip
If you can't state the What/Who/When clearly, you haven't actually made a decision. Send people back to clarify before they leave.
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