Pros and Cons List Template: The Ultimate Decision Tool

5 min read

Every day, humans make more than 35,000 decisions, from trivial choices like what to eat for lunch to career-defining moves that shape our futures. Yet most of us lack a systematic approach to navigate the decisions that truly matter. Enter the pros and cons list—a deceptively simple decision framework that has guided leaders and innovators for centuries.

The Historical Power of Pros and Cons Lists

The pros and cons technique is also known as the "Ben Franklin Method" because Benjamin Franklin was known to use this technique, first referencing it in a 1772 letter to his friend, Joseph Priestley. What makes this framework endure is its elegant simplicity: create two columns, list the advantages on one side and disadvantages on the other, then evaluate which side carries more weight.

Today's business leaders face unprecedented complexity. In 2026, business frameworks are more vital than ever for organizations seeking clarity and success in an unpredictable landscape, as leaders need proven models to guide decision-making and create lasting value. The pros and cons list template remains one of the most accessible entry points into structured decision-making.

Why Decision Frameworks Matter in Business

Weighing up pros and cons can speed up the decision-making process, improve your understanding of the situation, and help you avoid decision-making paralysis. In strategic thinking, this matters enormously. Organizations that adopt systematic decision frameworks report tangible improvements: early adopters report cycle-time compression by up to 40%, with an average of 33% and doubled conversion rates from proof of concept to production after the playbook's use.

The beauty of a pros and cons list template lies in its versatility. Because of its ease of use, the list may be used in a wide variety of decision-making scenarios and it's less susceptible to the effects of prejudice and emotion. Whether you're evaluating a job offer, considering a business pivot, or choosing between vendors, this framework provides structure without overwhelming complexity.

Creating Your Pros and Cons List Template

A basic template starts simple. First, write the decision that you have to make at the top of a two-column grid. Label one side "Pros" and the other "Cons." Then, list all of the possible positive consequences of the decision in the pros column, and all the negative effects in the cons column.

But here's where most people stop—and miss the framework's true power. Consider the points that you've written down, and assign a positive or negative value to each one. For example, a score of +5 may be strongly favorable, while -1 may be mildly unfavorable. This quantification transforms a qualitative exercise into actionable intelligence.

The Benjamin Franklin Advanced Method

According to the Benjamin Franklin method, take your time, especially when it comes to making an important decision and spread the process over the next few days. Not all considerations surface immediately. By revisiting your list over several days, you allow deeper insights to emerge and reduce the influence of temporary emotions on permanent decisions.

The scoring system adds analytical rigor. Once you've finished, add up the scores in each column, and subtract the total cons from the total pros. A positive overall score indicates that you should go ahead with the decision, while a negative one suggests you should scrap it. However, remember that numbers should inform, not dictate, your final choice.

When Pros and Cons Lists Work Best

This framework excels in specific scenarios. There is a direct connection between decision-making and time management because decision-making is an integral part of the process of managing time effectively, as effective time management requires making choices about how to use your time wisely. The pros and cons approach particularly shines when:

Making a pros and cons list leads to a "self-distanced viewpoint," in which the choice is seen as an 'external' issue to be solved, reducing the depth of associated emotions and lowering the likelihood of acting impulsively.

Limitations and Complementary Frameworks

No single framework solves every problem. Pros and cons lists can oversimplify complex issues, potentially leading to suboptimal decisions and they can also be biased, as we tend to weigh factors that align with our preferences more heavily.

For complex strategic decisions, consider supplementing your pros and cons analysis with additional frameworks. SWOT analysis examines internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats. SWOT is one of the most foundational decision making frameworks used globally in business schools and by management consultants to inform strategic choices.

For decisions with financial implications, cost-benefit analysis is one of the most pragmatic decision making frameworks and is most effective for decisions with significant, measurable financial outcomes, making it ideal for business investments, public policy, and infrastructure projects.

Real-World Application: Remote Work Policy

Consider a practical example. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, some employees have requested to work remotely permanently, instead of from the office, so organizations need to decide whether to provide the option to work from home.

Using a weighted pros and cons list, you might assign allowing employees to work from home can reduce their stressful commutes and increase their productivity (+5), while noting that it may be more difficult for team members to build meaningful, productive, creative relationships with one another (-4).

After scoring all factors, if your final score is positive (for example +4, calculated as 21 pros minus 17 cons), it makes sense to implement a remote working policy that permits team members to work from home for several days each week.

Implementing Your Template: Best Practices

Strategic thinking strengthens decision making by providing an objective framework where strategic thinkers integrate objective data, analysis of past outcomes, and future projections into their decision logic, and this evidence-based approach minimizes the influence of personal biases that undermine choices.

To maximize your pros and cons list effectiveness:

In the end, despite all the numbers, calculations, pondering and evaluating, you may find the pros-and-cons and the accompanying results not quite right. If so, trust your gut feeling.

The Future of Decision Frameworks

As we navigate 2026, decision frameworks continue evolving. Experts anticipate that AI will become a powerful force multiplier for decision-making frameworks in 2026, as its ability to process vast amounts of data at incredible speeds can accelerate analysis phases, and for rapid business decisions, AI can act as a co-decision maker or even take the lead.

Yet the fundamental principle remains unchanged: systematic evaluation beats intuition alone for consequential choices. The pros and cons list template, refined over 250 years since Franklin's letter, continues to serve as the foundation upon which more sophisticated decision frameworks build.

For additional context on decision-making processes, explore decision-making theory or learn about strategic leadership approaches from Harvard Business Review.

The next time you face a significant decision—whether launching a new product, restructuring your team, or making a career change—start with this time-tested template. Its simplicity is its strength, providing clarity when complexity threatens to overwhelm.