Rationale Format

  1. Issue: Describe the issue to be discussed by the rationale.
  2. Alternatives: List the alternatives. Include only realistic alternatives. Do not include a "strawman" alternative. A strawman alternative is an unrealistic alternative that is introduced only for the sake of the rationale and is very easily dismissed.
  3. Criteria: These are the constraints and metrics that allow one to distinguish the alternatives from one another. A constraint is a criterion that must be satisfied. A metric is a quantitative measurement that allows the alternatives to be compared. The default and most commonly used metric is the cost.
  4. Arguments: The alternatives are evaluated with respect to the criteria. This can be an elaborate argument if the alternatives compare differently in different cases. For example, different phases of a project.
  5. Decision: State the alternative that was determined to be the best with respect to the criteria.