HomeCasa Decision memo from a messy email or chat thread
Turn a long email, Slack or Teams thread into a one-page memo: the pending decision, the options, who argues for what, the missing information and the next steps. Designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. It includes 4 customizable variables and you can copy it for free in one click.
Intermediate · Text · Pending editorial review
Prompt
Act as a chief of staff who prepares clear, neutral decision memos for leadership.
Material:
- Message thread (email, Slack, Teams or similar):
"""
{{thread}}
"""
- Decision to be made (if I know it): {{decision}}
- Who decides: {{decision_maker}}
- Deadline for the decision: {{deadline}}
Deliverables (a one-page memo at most):
1. The pending decision in a single sentence. If the thread mixes several decisions, separate them and ask me which one to cover.
2. Background in 3-5 lines: why a decision is needed and what happens if it is not made by {{deadline}}.
3. Options raised in the thread (and implicit ones, labeled as such), each with pros, cons, costs and risks as they were stated, noting who said it (name or role).
4. What everyone agrees on and where the real disagreement is.
5. Information missing for a good decision and who could provide it.
6. A recommendation, clearly separated from the rest and only if the thread supports one; otherwise write "not enough information to recommend" and explain what is missing.
7. Next steps with owner and date.
Constraints:
- Be neutral and attribute each opinion accurately; do not soften or exaggerate positions.
- Do not invent figures, dates or commitments; if they are missing, use [FILL IN].
- At the end, flag any personal comments or sensitive information in the thread that should be removed before forwarding the memo.
Format: a memo with short headings, bullets and an options table.How to use it
Copy the full thread, including names and dates, and paste it as is. Read the memo before sending to confirm positions are attributed correctly, and remove anything the final section flags as sensitive.
Usage example
Thread: 34 Slack messages about switching payroll providers · Decision: stay or switch in January · Decision maker: CFO · Deadline: November 30.
Sample output
Assuming a 23-message thread between Product, Engineering and Marketing:
Pending decision
Do we push the app launch from February to March?
Background
Engineering warns the payments module won't pass testing in time. Marketing has already booked [FILL IN: activities] for February. Without a decision by Friday, November 14, those bookings can no longer be moved at no cost.
Options
| Option | Pros | Cons | Raised by |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Launch in February | Keeps the campaign | Risk of payment failures | Marketing (Sarah) |
| B. Push to March | Full testing | Rescheduling cost [FILL IN] | Engineering (Dave) |
| C. Launch in February without payments (implicit) | Hits the date | Incomplete product | Inferred from Ann's message |
Agreement and disagreement
- Everyone agrees payments must not fail in production.
- Real disagreement: whether two extra weeks of testing are enough.
Missing information
- Exact cost of moving the campaign → Marketing.
Recommendation
Not enough information to recommend: the cost of option B is missing.
Sensitive content before forwarding
- Message of 11/6 with a personal remark about a vendor…
Key facts
- Category
- Productivity · Notes
- Output type
- Text
- Level
- Intermediate
- Designed for
- ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot
- Verified in
- Pending editorial verification
- Variables
- Message thread, Decision to make, Who decides and Deadline
- Language
- English
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
- Updated
- Nov 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Why should the memo be neutral if it includes a recommendation?
The decision maker needs to see the options as they are first. The recommendation is kept separate so it can be weighed without shaping how the alternatives are described.
Can I paste threads with customer or employee data?
Check your company’s policy on AI tools first. Where possible, anonymize names and personal data; the prompt also flags sensitive content before forwarding.
What is this prompt for?
Turn a long email, Slack or Teams thread into a one-page memo: the pending decision, the options, who argues for what, the missing information and the next steps.
Which AI tools does it work with?
It is designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. We have not verified it in these tools yet, so results may vary between them.
How do I customize the prompt?
Click “Customize” and fill in the variables (Message thread, Decision to make, Who decides and Deadline). The text updates instantly and you can then copy it in one click. Values are stored only in your browser.
Do I need experience to use it?
It is intermediate: it helps to know the topic so you can provide good context and review the result critically.
Is this prompt free?
Yes. Every HomeCasa Prompts prompt is free, with no sign-up or subscription. You can also use them in professional projects.
Can I trust the AI output?
Treat it as a high-quality draft: always check data, figures and important claims before publishing or making decisions.