Definition
Normative definition. A Decision Object is a versioned, inspectable record that encodes the rules, inputs, thresholds, and authority governing an operational decision.
Decision objects are first-class governance artifacts, not just logic. They must specify ownership, appealability, reversibility, and temporal obligations. Decisions that affect access, status, or rights must be backed by an active decision object.
Minimal JSON schema (governance-grade).
{
"decision_object_id": "DO-ACCESS-0041",
"decision_name": "Eligibility Determination",
"status": "active",
"owner_role": "Risk Operations",
"authority": {
"issuing_body": "Eligibility Committee",
"delegation_basis": "Policy §4.2"
},
"inputs": [
{"name": "income_verified", "type": "boolean"},
{"name": "employment_duration_months", "type": "integer"}
],
"decision_logic": {
"model_type": "ruleset",
"description": "Income verification + minimum employment duration"
},
"outputs": [
{"value": "approved"},
{"value": "denied"},
{"value": "pending_review"}
],
"reversibility": {
"allowed": true,
"mechanism": "human_override",
"reversal_sla_id": "RSLA-002"
},
"contestability": {
"appealable": true,
"appeal_channel": "formal_request",
"binding_clock_id": "BC-010"
},
"audit": {
"last_updated": "2026-01-10",
"version": "1.3.0",
"change_log_ref": "CH-884"
}
}Ethotechnics move. This reframes “the system decided” into “this object did.” Once the object exists, accountability stops being philosophical.
Temporal