Printable planning worksheet
Organize the decision before buying the advice.
A clearly defined question makes hourly, fixed-scope and professional-coordination work more efficient.
The decision
Write one sentence: “I need to decide whether to…” Avoid naming the service. Name the choice.
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The controlling date
What deadline, contract date, tax year, renewal, closing or board action makes timing matter?
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The realistic alternatives
List the status quo and at least two alternatives. Include “wait” only if waiting is genuinely available.
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The people and entities affected
Family members, owners, partners, employees, clients, tenants, donors, beneficiaries, advisers, lenders or agencies.
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The numbers that could change the answer
Cash flow, tax basis, debt, reserves, sale proceeds, insurance, compensation, investment exposure, project cost or operating budget.
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The documents that support those numbers
Returns, statements, agreements, estimates, policies, bids, budgets, appraisals, notices, governing documents or board records.
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What a useful deliverable looks like
A call, written comparison, projection, decision memorandum, tax response, implementation plan or ongoing monitoring.
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The scope boundary
What is explicitly outside this assignment? What other professional must be involved?
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Ready to price the scope? Send the non-confidential outline. The engagement and fee can then be defined before work begins.