Free template
Decision register template for Excel
For projects that need a formal record: the decisions you are waiting on as well as the ones made, with an owner, an approver and the impact on cost and time.
The template
Copy it, or download it and fill it in by hand.
Decision register
Add a row as soon as a decision is needed, not only once it is made. Filter on Status to see what is still open.
Register
| Ref | Raised | Decision needed | Category | Options | Decision | Owner | Approved by | Decided | Impact | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR-01, DR-02… one per decision. | When the decision was first needed. | The question, written so it can be answered yes or no, or with a choice. | Scope, Budget, Schedule, Supplier, Design or Policy. | The real choices, with a line on each. | What was chosen. Empty while open. | Who brings it to a decision. | Who signed it off. | The date it was approved. | Cost, time or risk it changes. | Open, Decided, Deferred or Superseded. | Where it was approved: meeting, email or document. |
| Example: DR-01 | 2026-07-14 | Which racking supplier for the north depot? | Supplier | Northline (6 weeks) or Calder (4 weeks, 9% more) | Northline | Mark Ellis | Priya Nair | 2026-07-18 | Install starts 2 weeks later; within budget | Decided | Vendor call, 18 Jul, 22:10 |
The same template, filled in by Velkri
Calls and stand-ups in July
Register
| Ref | Raised | Decision needed | Category | Options | Decision | Owner | Approved by | Decided | Impact | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR-04 | 14 Jul | Which racking supplier? | Supplier | Northline or Calder | Northline | Mark Ellis | Priya Nair | 18 Jul | Install 2 weeks later | Decided | Vendor call, 22:10From: Vendor call · 18 Jul · 22:10 |
| DR-05 | 16 Jul | When does the night shift start? | Schedule | 28 July or 4 August | 4 August | Jonah Weiss | Priya Nair | 21 Jul | One week of double cover | Decided | Ops stand-up, 06:45From: Ops stand-up · 21 Jul · 06:45 |
| DR-06 | 22 Jul | Who runs forklift training at site 2? | Scope | In-house or the supplier | Jonah Weiss | Site 2 opening at risk | Open | #north-depotFrom: #north-depot · 22 Jul |
Confirmed by Priya Nair
Velkri opened DR-06 when the question came up in the channel and kept it open; the decided rows link to the moment they were approved.
How to use it
Four habits that make it work.
- 1
Add the question before the answer
A register is most useful for decisions you are still waiting on. Add a row as soon as someone says “we need to decide…”.
- 2
Name an owner and an approver
The owner gathers the options and brings it to a meeting. The approver has the final say. They are often different people.
- 3
Write the impact in plain terms
What it changes in cost, time or risk. This is the column a sponsor reads first.
- 4
Review open rows every week
Filter Status to Open in your weekly meeting. Anything open for two weeks needs a date or a new owner.
Questions
Decision register template
What is the difference between a decision register and a decision log?
They overlap, and many teams use the names for the same thing. A register is usually the formal version for a project or programme: it tracks decisions still needed, who approves them and their impact. A log is a lighter running list of what was decided.
Does the template work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Upload the .xlsx file to Google Drive and open it with Sheets; the dropdowns and filters come across.
Who should own the decision register?
Usually the project manager or a project coordinator keeps it up to date, but each row has its own owner who brings that decision to a close.
Stop filling it in by hand.
Velkri takes the notes on your calls and in the room, proposes each decision and action, and your team confirms them.