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One decision. Clear ownership. · Set authority

Setting decision boundaries beyond money

A financial threshold alone may miss customer, delivery, reputation or information risks. Describe the conditions under which the decision is allowed, not just how much it costs.

Put it into practice

  1. Identify the promises and standards the decision could affect.

  2. Set time, capacity and service boundaries alongside money.

  3. Test a low-cost case with a high operational consequence.

Illustrative example

A case to think through

A free rush job may stay below a spending limit but displace a promised delivery. Capacity and customer commitments still need explicit limits.

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

A boundary worth checking

Assuming 'no extra cost' means 'no risk' can allow a small request to create a larger downstream problem.

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
Money
time
customer promise
capacity
information exposure

How many boundaries should we write?

Enough to cover material predictable risks. If the list becomes unmanageable, narrow the delegated decision or clarify the process first.

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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