Decision-making can make or break any project. Whether you’re choosing the right tech stack, finalizing an architecture, or deciding how to optimize performance, every choice shapes the outcome. But with countless variables and opinions in play, how do teams make smart, effective decisions without getting stuck in endless debates or trial-and-error loops? That’s where the SOLVED Decision-Making Model comes in. It’s a structured, 6-step approach designed to guide teams through complex decisions with clarity, logic, and collaboration. Developed and tested across multiple project types, SOLVED helps remove the guesswork and brings transparency to every choice.
Let’s break it down.
What Is the SOLVED Model?
SOLVED is an acronym for:
- S – Survey
- O – Outline
- L – Leverage
- V – Validate
- E – Engage
- D – Document
Each step serves as a checkpoint to ensure your decision is data-driven, well-validated, and accepted by all stakeholders involved.
Step 1: Survey – Understand the Situation
Start by examining the condition and collecting relevant data. Before jumping into solutions, get a complete picture of the problem.
Example:
If a webpage is loading too slowly, begin by measuring its performance under different scenarios, analyzing user behavior, and pinpointing bottlenecks in the code.
Step 2: Outline – Define the Objective
Clearly state the goal or problem you’re solving. Ambiguity here leads to confusion later.
Example:
Your objective might be: “Reduce page load time from 10 seconds to under 2 seconds.”
This gives your team a measurable, shared target.
Step 3: Leverage – Use Your Data
Use the insights gathered in Step 1 to identify potential solutions. The stronger your data, the better your decision quality.
Example:
Based on your research, you might decide to refactor heavy JavaScript functions or implement lazy loading for images to reach the desired speed.
Step 4: Validate – Test Before Committing
Before rolling out a full-scale change, test your decision on a smaller scale or consult with subject matter experts.
Example:
Try refactoring a portion of the code and measure the improvement. If the results align with your expectations, you can move forward confidently.
Step 5: Engage – Collaborate and Communicate
Involve all key stakeholders, including developers, product managers, designers, and end users. Their feedback helps ensure buy-in and alignment across the team.
Example:
Present the planned performance improvements to all stakeholders, get their input, and finalize the path forward together.
Step 6: Document – Keep a Record
Once a decision is made, document everything: the rationale, supporting data, discussions, and results. This creates a valuable reference for future projects and prevents repeat mistakes.
Why the SOLVED Model Works
The beauty of the SOLVED model lies in its simplicity. It transforms decision-making from a reactive, emotional process into a structured, data-driven one. It ensures that facts and collaboration back every step from analysis to action.
Beyond software development, SOLVED can also be applied to:
- UX design choices
- Database selection (relational vs. non-relational)
- Automation strategy planning
- Product roadmap decisions
- Feature prioritization
Final Thoughts
In an industry where speed and precision matter, the SOLVED Decision-Making Model acts as a roadmap for smarter, faster, and more reliable decisions. It encourages teams to slow down at the right moments—survey, analyze, validate and then move forward with confidence.
Whether you’re leading a dev team or managing a cross-functional project, adopting SOLVED can transform how your organization approaches decision-making—from reactive to strategic, and from uncertain to SOLVED.
