# The Power - and the Challenge - of Small Decisions Software engineers make decisions. That's all that we do. Our work consists of nothing but a steady stream of decisions. Decision making is our most valuable skill. All day, every day, we decide. Most of our decisions don't even feel like decisions. They're just the little things that we do, as we go about our work. They are the small decisions. These small decisions are the ones that matter most. Effective small decisions build trust, build flow, build momentum. They help us to make the big decisions. Then, they help us to implement the big decisions. Effective engineers are effective because of many small effective decisions. Ineffective engineers are ineffective because of many small ineffective decisions. An effective decision reflects context and constraints. It balances technology, business, and people. It weighs desirable and undesirable outcomes. It is aware of assumptions, principles, and tradeoffs. ## Learn To Make More Effective Small Decisions How can you learn to make more effective small decisions? As with most learning, there is no substitute for practice, or for a good coach. You will learn a great deal through trial, error, study, and reflection. You will learn faster with a good coach. I help software engineers and technical leaders learn to make more effective decisions. Small decisions, and big decisions. At all phases of their careers. First, we need to understand the context in which you are working. Context matters a great deal. Then, we'll identify the types of decisions you are making. We'll also discuss the assumptions and habits that influence your default decisions. We'll discuss the decisions you're not even aware you're making. We'll explore what some good decisions might look like in your context. What outcomes might be acceptable or unacceptable? What constraints and tradeoffs do we need to consider? What principles or reasonable default assumptions might apply? We'll compare your decisions to these 'good decisions'. Which of your decisions are already pretty effective, and how might we improve upon them? Which of your decisions are less effective? Why? What beliefs, knowledge, and skills do you need to make more effective decisions? Finally, we'll put our leanings into action. We'll make a plan for action, accountability, and feedback. You'll practice making new small decisions. We'll learn from what works well, and what doesn't work well. We'll iterate and revise our plan as we learn more about your decisions and your context. ## Let's Talk If you'd like to be more effective (and happier) in your career, by making more effective small decisions, let's talk. Contact me at [email protected] We'll start by understanding your situation, and whether I might be able to help you. There is no obligation, and no pressure — just a couple easy conversations to decide whether we're interested in working together.