Chapter 4: Action tools

The action box includes several tools to help you during the decision-making process. The tools included depends on the step, and you can find it in the right menu inside the 8 steps of the decision-making process. From the action box you can change the decision status, invite collaborators to the decision, upload documents related to the decision, Assign tasks, save a particular version of the decision, and much more.

4.1 Change Decision Status

Update your decision status by marking the decisions as:

• In progress: This is the default status
• Completed: You have completed the decision-making process and have made a decision.
• Approved: The decision has been approved by all stakeholders and is ready to be implemented.
• Implemented: You have implemented the decision.

1. Click on Status inside the action box from any of the decision steps.
2. Select the status of the decision.

You can also change a decision status from the Decision Status page, as described in Chapter 8 of this guide.

4.2 Invite/Add Collaborator

Using Paramount Decisions, you can invite all decisions stakeholders or team members to work with you on the same decision. All changes to your decision are automatically updated and synced with all collaborators and on every device.

You can define what kind of access you will give your collaborators. You can select between the following role:

• Viewer: The user can only view the decision, but can not make any changes to the decision, or invite others to collaborate.
• Collaborator: The user can view and edit the decision, but can not invite others to collaborate.
• Owner: The user can view and edit the decision, and can also invite others to collaborate on the decision.

To add a collaborator to the decision:

1. Click on Add Collaborator inside the action box from any of the decision steps.
2. Type the Name of the collaborator or select from the list.
3. Assign a Role for each collaborator
4. Click Save.

You can also add a collaborator to a decision from the Project Summary page, Decision Summary page and Collaborator page, as described in Chapter 5.3, 6.2 and 10.

If the user is not on the list, you need to invite the user to start using Paramount Decision. To invite a new user:

1. Click on Add Collaborator inside the action box from any of the decision steps.
2. Start typing the Name of the user, if not found, click on Invite New User
3. Add Email, Role and Projects or Decisions you want to invite the user to.
4. Click Save.

The new user will get an email with an invitation, and will be added to Paramount Decision when the invitation is accepted.

You can also add a collaborator to a decision from the Project Summary page, Decision Summary page and Collaborator page, as described in Chapter 5.3, 6.2 and 10.

4.3 Add Documents

Using the action box, you can add an attachment or any relevant documents to your decision, or view all the documents related to a particular decision.

To add a document:

1. Click on Add Documents inside the action box from any of the decision steps.
2. Drag & Drop the document to the marked field, or click on Manual upload.
3. Wait until the document is uploaded and shown under Uploaded Documents.

You can also upload a document to a project or a decision from the Project Summary page, Decision Summary page, as described in Chapter 5.3 and 6.2.

4.4 Add Tasks

Using the action box, you can create tasks related to the decision, and assign those tasks to yourself or for those involved in the decision.

To Add a Task:

1. Click on Add Tasks inside the action box from any of the decision steps.
2. Add Headline and Description. You can also define a Due Date and Reminders
3. Assign the task by typing the name of the responsible person, or select from the list.
4. Click Create Task.

You can also add a task to a project or a decision from the Project Summary page, Decision Summary page, as described in Chapter 5.3 and 6.2. Chapter 9 shows how you can manage your tasks and follow the progress of your team.

4.5 Save Version

Paramount Decisions saves multiple versions of your decisions automatically, and allow you to go back and preview earlier versions of the decision. You can also save a particular version of the decision at anytime.

To Save a New Version:

1. Click on Save Version inside the action box from any of the decision steps.
2. Give the version a new Name.
3. Click Save.

You can also find an overview of previously saved versions on the list, or from the Project Summary page and Decision Summary page, as described in chapter 5.3 and 6.2.

4.6 Import from Excel

In some cases, you might have created a list of your Alternatives or Factors on Excel and want to include them in your decisions. Paramount Decisions allows you to easily import your Alternatives or Factors from Excel. To do so, your data need to be formatted properly. Please download our Excel template and use it as a guide or follow the instructions on how to order the data.

To Import from Excel:

1. Click Import from Excel inside the action box. This is only available in Step 2 and 3. You can import your Alternatives from Step 2 and your Factors from Step 3 inside the decision.
2. Drag & Drop the Excel file to the marked field, or click on Manual upload. Remember to order your data as shown on the instructions.
3. Wait until the data is uploaded, then have a final look on the preview. You can delete or edit any data from the preview window.
4. Click Import if you are satisfied, or Upload Another File if you want to add more.

Remember: You can only import from Excel from Step 2 and 3 inside the decision. You can only import Alternatives and Factors (including Criteria). from Step 2 and 3 inside the decision

4.7 Import from another decision

Using the action box, you can also import Alternatives and Factors (including Criteria) from any of the previous decisions you have created using Paramount Decisions. This allows you to save time by reusing previous data.

To Import from another decisions:

1. Click Import from another Decisions inside the action box. This is only available in Step 2 and 3. You can import Alternatives and Factors from Step 2, or only Factors from Step 3 inside the decision.
2. Type the Name of the decision you want to import from, or select from the list.
3. Check for Also Import Factors & Criteria if you want to import it now, or or you can import it in Step 3 of the decision.
4. Wait until the data is uploaded, then have a final look on the preview. You can delete or edit any data from the preview window.
5. click import

4.8 View Report

Paramount Decision allows for transparent and auditable decisions making process. Once you complete your decision, a report is generated automatically from the information you have added in the decision-making process. The report is organized in an easy-to-follow manner, and you can use it to communicate the rationale of your decision with other stakeholders who may or may not have been part of the decision-making process. For the participants of the decision, the report can be revisited in the future for continuous learning and improvement. You can chose between a full report, or a condensed report in an A3 format.

To view a Report:

1. Click View Full Report or View A3 Report from inside the action box. This is only available in step 8 after you have completed the decision.
2. Click Download if you want to download a PDF version of the report
3. Click Print if you want to print the report. Remember to select the right paper size. For the full report, we recommend vertical A4 paper, for the A3 report, we recommend landscaped A3 paper.
4. Click Back to go back to the decision.

4.9 Add Comments

Paramount Decisions help you enhance the collaboration with your team and allow you to add comments to any of the steps inside the 8-step decision-making process. You can comment on a single part, such as one particular alternative or add a general comment inside the comment box.

To add a Comment to a particular part:

1. Click on the Comment icon next to the particular item you want to comment on.
2. Write your comment, or Flag it if it require additional attention.
3. Press Enter when you are done.

The number of comments for a specific item will be shown like this . You can click on the comment icon if you want to review or add more comments.

To add a general comment regarding the decision or to a particular step:

1. Click on the Comment box in the lower right corner inside the decision
2. Write your comment, or Flag it if it require additional attention.
3. Press Enter when you are done.

From the comment box, you can also view all the comments added to the decision.

4.10 Activity

From the activity box, you can view all recent activities for the decision, add a comment to a particular activity, or revert the activity.

To view and comment on activities:

1. Click on the Activity box in the lower right corner inside the decision.
2. Hover over the activity and click the dropdown list.
3. Add a Comment or Revert the activity. Reverting the activity will cancel the changes.