one-three-one-rule

Use the 1-3-1 format: state one problem sentence, present exactly three distinct options with pros and cons each, then give one recommendation with a definition of done and implementation plan. This keeps trade-off analysis concise and forwardable.

The 1-3-1 rule is a communication framework with one problem statement, three options with trade-offs, and one recommendation. It forces clear problem framing and a direct professional judgment instead of hedging between approaches.

Use it when a task has multiple viable approaches with meaningful trade-offs, such as architecture, tooling, or migration decisions. Do not use it for simple questions with one obvious answer, debugging sessions, or decisions already made.

This framework requires exactly three options labeled A, B, and C. The options must represent genuinely different strategies with distinct pros and cons, not minor variations of the same approach.

The format adds unnecessary overhead for simple questions, debugging work, or cases where the approach is already decided. It also constrains analysis to three options, which may not suit decisions requiring exhaustive evaluation.