Decision making hierarchy

Before you escalate anything, write it down. Describe what you need decided, why it matters, and what options you see. A one-page summary beats a 30-minute meeting. This saves everyone time and shows you have thought it through.

Your direct manager is the first stop for most decisions. They know your day-to-day work and can quickly approve routine requests or give you practical guidance. If your manager can not make the call, they will tell you who needs to weigh in next.

Senior managers handle decisions that affect multiple teams or need a broader perspective. They have authority over budgets, cross-team resources, and policy interpretations. Bring them clear options with your recommendation.

Decisions that reach executive level are big ones. These involve significant financial commitments, company-wide policy changes, or strategic direction. Come prepared with full context, a clear recommendation, and the impact of saying yes or no. Keep it brief - executives value their time.

Once a decision is made, tell everyone who needs to know. Write down what was decided, who approved it, and why. Future you will thank present you when someone asks how this decision got made six months from now.