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One decision. Clear ownership. · Set authority

Defining reserved decisions for the founder

Some decisions should remain with the founder, board or another authorised role. Name them so managers can distinguish genuine reserved matters from routine choices that merely acquired a habit of escalation.

Put it into practice

  1. List choices that materially change strategy, commitments or risk.

  2. Check which are formally reserved rather than personally preferred.

  3. Define the ordinary cases managers can handle around those reserved matters.

Illustrative example

A case to think through

A manager may handle an existing service agreement while a material change to its terms stays with the authorised signatory.

This is a hypothetical operating example, not a client result.

A boundary worth checking

Calling everything important a reserved matter can leave managers responsible for outcomes without practical room to deliver.

Operating authority must sit within the permissions your business already holds. A worksheet or matrix cannot override company, contractual, financial, employment or specialist controls. Where a choice is formally reserved, show the decision route clearly so the manager can prepare and progress the surrounding work.

Use a real case from your business

Your handover working notes

Use these prompts with the person taking ownership. Record the agreement within your existing permissions.

PromptNotes from your case
Reserved decision
reason
authorised role
surrounding delegated choices

Can a reserved decision change later?

Yes, through the appropriate authority and review. Do not assume an operating worksheet overrides formal company controls.

Your next step

Give one decision a clear owner.

A free fillable PDF with a worked example and conversation prompts. Marketing updates are optional.

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