---
title: "Four-step decision path"
slug: "next-steps/four-step-decision-path"
section: "Next steps"
description: "| Gate | Core question | Founder action | Stop / go condition | | | | | | | 1. Frame | What exactly are we deciding? | Write one sentence decision, date, r"
internal_only: false
---

# Four-step decision path

| Gate | Core question | Founder action | Stop / go condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| **1. Frame** | What exactly are we deciding? | Write one-sentence decision, date, responsible person, and at least 3 options | Do not continue if board/CEO authority or constraints are unknown |
| **2. Evidence** | What would change our mind? | Reconcile customer behaviour, runway and rival hypotheses | If crucial sources are unverified, gather them before committing |
| **3. Challenge** | Who can disagree without benefiting? | Run pre-mortem, map conflicts, choose internal or independent challenge | Escalate legal/securities/finance boundaries immediately |
| **4. Commit and review** | What's the least irreversible next action? | Set cost cap, accountable owner, test and review date | Stop, modify or proceed on predeclared signals |

YC's discussions of pivoting and user conversations are useful for Gate 2; SEC's broker-dealer guidance makes Gate 3 critical for financing services. [All about pivoting — Y Combinator](https://www.ycombinator.com/library/6p-all-about-pivoting) [How To Talk To Users — Y Combinator](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1iF1c8w5Lg) [Broker-Dealers — US SEC](https://www.sec.gov/resources-small-businesses/capital-raising-building-blocks/broker-dealers)