Operating Principle

2–4 min read

More Options Can Produce Worse Decisions

More Options Can Produce Worse Decisions

More Options Can Produce Worse Decisions

Beyond a modest point, adding choices reduces decision quality and satisfaction.

Beyond a modest point, adding choices reduces decision quality and satisfaction.

Beyond a modest point, adding choices reduces decision quality and satisfaction.

Curated choices can produce faster decisions and better outcomes than an unbounded menu.

Curated choices can produce faster decisions and better outcomes than an unbounded menu.

Curated choices can produce faster decisions and better outcomes than an unbounded menu.

Curated choices can produce faster decisions and better outcomes than an unbounded menu.

Operating Question

What evidence, base rate, or structural constraint should change this decision?

What evidence, base rate, or structural constraint should change this decision?

What evidence, base rate, or structural constraint should change this decision?

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Why It Matters

Curated choices can produce faster decisions and better outcomes than an unbounded menu.

Supporting Evidence

Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper; Barry Schwartz, “The Paradox of Choice”.

Research Notes

Treat this as a disciplined decision heuristic and account for relevant context and limits.

Practical Actions

Audit rarely chosen options; test removal; curate internal choices too.