RAPID decision roles

The question it helps answer

Use the RAPID decision roles to organise the reasoning behind this question: How should recommendation, agreement, execution, input, and final authority be assigned? The working view makes role definitions, assignment rules, and one-decider principle visible so discussion can move from general opinion to a specific action or decision.

When to use it

Use the RAPID decision roles when people working on decision systems are using different mental models for role definitions, assignment rules, and one-decider principle, and that difference is changing choices or coordination.

What it is

The RAPID decision roles is a set of connected concepts for examining one situation from several necessary angles. Its core working elements are role definitions, assignment rules, one-decider principle, and handoffs. Those elements belong together because each changes how the others should be interpreted or acted on.

The five RAPID roles

Recommend

The recommender frames the decision, gathers the relevant input, develops credible options, and proposes a path with evidence and trade-offs.

Agree

An agree role gives required sign-off within a defined area of authority. Keep this role scarce; unresolved objections move to the decider rather than becoming an informal consensus veto.

Perform

Performers execute the decision. Involve them early enough to surface delivery constraints, then give them a clear outcome, owner, timing, and escalation path.

Input

Input roles contribute facts, expertise, risks, or affected-user perspectives before the decision. Their advice must be considered, but they do not hold final authority unless another role grants it.

Decide

One decider holds final authority for the defined scope, resolves remaining trade-offs, records the rationale, and confirms the actions that follow.