Decision filters are tools to align decisions with organizational values and goals. They are created through stakeholder conversations and communicated to teams. Teams then use the decision filters to determine what work to deliver and what not to deliver. Decision filters help reduce irrational decisions and losses by encouraging normative behaviors. They can be applied at any level of an organization for any scenario. When used properly, decision filters signal culture change and mold the culture into a better form aligned with values.

1. Culture Hack
#Decision Filters
Badre Srinivasan

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Source - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

4. 4
Processing burden on the brain to make sense of
the information.
Mental effort demanded by the task/information.
E.g., taking in all variables during project
management
Effort imposed by the environment. E.g.,
background noise that distracts one from reading
smoothly.
Effort needed to convert new information into stable
long-term learning. E.g., using algorithms or
methods to conceptualize new information and
Cognitive Load
(Three types)
Intrinsic cognitive load
(Manage)
Extraneous cognitive
load
(Optimize)
Germane cognitive load
(Promote)
Source -- https://cognitiontoday.com/cognitive-load-theory-definition-types-and-applications-for-learning-
guest-post
Cognitive Load

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Information is linked
through a network of
webs
Phone is a concept in
your mind – A
network of properties,
components, ideas,
relationships,
functions, examples,
etc.
Your Mobile Phone – What Brand is it. What Color is it – Specific Answer
Look at your mobile phone – What is it – Variable Answer – mobile phone,
communication device
Construal levels theory is a framework that describes the ‘level’ at which
you construe (or understand) a concept. The level ranges from low to high or concrete
to abstract or zoomed-in to zoomed-out. It is the psychological distance you have
regarding a concept or perception.
Source -- https://cognitiontoday.com/cognitive-load-theory-definition-types-and-applications-for-learning-

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Source -- https://cognitiontoday.com/creative-cognition-construal-level-theory-psychological-
The relationship between psychological
distance and depth of understanding with how
abstract or concrete a person’s
thinking/perception is
1.iPhone/Samsung – Oppo, One Plus
2.Mobile Phone - Laptop, Computer, Charging
cable
3.Communication Device - Medical devices,
Electronics, etc.
Due to their vast experience “Experts” are
generally un-creative and rigid in solving a
problem – even though they are the best at
solving it, they fail to solve related and novel
problems. Their neurons default to their most
optimized pathway blocking all other possible
pathways.

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Source -
Source - https://digitalleadership.com/blog/bani-world/
Source - https://blog.rblbank.com/leadership-in-a-vuca-world/
BANI MEETS RAAT
Resilience
Attention
Adaptation
Transparency

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Decision Filters
A decision filter is a set of
pre-established rules that
you can use to evaluate a
decision and take action.
Source - https://www.leankor.com/how-to-use-the-lean-decision-filter-to-make-the-right-
Source - https://www.spencertom.com/2021/12/04/decision-
filters/

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Source - https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/analysis-for-
product/9780134394732/ATPO_04_01.html
Source -

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When to Use It
Decision filters can be
used for -
•Ensuring strategic
alignment
•Aligning key product
features
•Aligning key project
objectives
•Aligning release goals
•Aligning iteration
goals
•Determining the
design approach (to
determine if an activity
is differentiating)

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New Decision Filter
1.Is this filter a hard cut-off,
or what is an acceptable
margin?
2.Will the decision still
impact your life in 10
minutes, 10 weeks, 10
months, 10 years?
3.What are the various
scenarios can this filter be
applied to?

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How to Use It
1.Create the decision filters through conversations
among key stakeholders. Decision filters are
usually derived from goals and objectives.
2.Communicate the decision filters to the teams
responsible for realizing those goals and
objectives.
3.Use the decision filters in those teams to
determine what they will and will not deliver.
Source - https://insideproduct.co/decisionfilters/

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System
1
Fast
Not correct most
of the times
System
2
Slow
Correct most of
the times
System
3
Fast
Correct for a
greater number of
instances

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Source – Kanban Maturity Model, David Anderson
Outcomes follow
Practices
Practices follow Culture
Culture follows Values
Lead with Values!

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Source - https://blog.planview.com/using-the-lean-decision-
filter/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20first%20steps%20to%20really%20getting,which%20is%20actually%20what%20we%20are%20striving%20for.

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Decision Filters are mnemonic structures to
encourage appropriate behavior aligned to
values.
Decision filters are a coaching tool, to enable
changes in the normative behavior from
leaders.
Alignment of decisions and actions signals
a change in culture to the workforce.
Proper use of decision filters is a means to hack
the culture and mold it into a better, more
Decision Filters
Kanban Lens
See work as a flow
See workflow as a
sequence of knowledge
discovery steps
See knowledge work as
a service
See organizations as a
network of services
Source -- https://blog.kmm.plus/organizational-culture-the-kanban-maturity-
model/

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Source – Kanban Maturity Model, David Anderson
KMM
Kanban Maturity Model

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1. Remember the human brain has a rational and an
irrational part and many times, the irrational part wins
despite losses obtained during the outcome. Decision
filters help us to reduce the losses.
2. Ensure the organizational structure is conducive for
hacking the culture.
3. Decision filters are usually derived from goals and
objectives and they are created through conversations.
4. Communicate the decision filters to the teams for
implementation.
5. Decision filters can be created and applied at any level
and for any scenario in the organization.

19. Thank you Badre Srinivasan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/badrisrinivasan/
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