COMPEL Glossary / decision-log
Decision Log
A decision log is a formal, maintained record of significant decisions made during an AI transformation program, documenting the context and problem statement, alternatives considered, decision criteria, the decision reached, the rationale for the choice, who made the decision, what authority they had, and the expected consequences.
What this means in practice
For organizations, decision logs provide accountability, institutional memory, and learning material that enables future decision-makers to understand why past choices were made and whether they produced the expected results. In COMPEL, decision logs are a governance artifact maintained throughout the engagement lifecycle, referenced during the Evaluate stage for retrospective analysis, and carried into the Learn stage to inform future transformation cycles.
Why it matters
Decision logs provide accountability, institutional memory, and learning material that enables future decision-makers to understand why past choices were made. Without them, organizations repeat mistakes, lose the reasoning behind critical choices when personnel change, and cannot demonstrate governance rigor to auditors or regulators. In AI transformation, where decisions have long-lasting consequences, systematic decision documentation is essential.
How COMPEL uses it
Decision logs are a governance artifact maintained throughout the entire COMPEL engagement lifecycle. They are referenced during the Evaluate stage for retrospective analysis, assessing whether decisions produced expected results. During Learn, decision logs inform future transformation cycles by providing evidence-based lessons. The artifact system requires decision logs to be cross-referenced with other governance documents for audit completeness.
Related Terms
Other glossary terms mentioned in this entry's definition and context.