# Decision brief: choose the next client-reporting platform

Decision date: 2026-08-15

Status: provisional recommendation pending migration spike
Example type: fictional vendors and synthetic evidence

## Context

The current workflow takes two operator-days per month and makes source-to-report reconciliation difficult. The selected option must preserve data export and be usable by a three-person operations team.

## Recommendation

Adopt Northstar provisionally. It ranks first after evidence-confidence adjustment because its workflow fit and data controls outweigh its higher first-year cost. Approval remains conditional on a representative migration test because the two-week implementation estimate has low confidence.

## Comparison

| Option | Raw weighted score | Evidence confidence | Adjusted score | Main trade-off |
|---|---:|---:|---:|---|
| Adopt Northstar | 4.18 | 86% | 3.61 | Strongest workflow fit; higher cost and untested migration estimate |
| Adopt Fieldline | 3.80 | 82% | 3.12 | Balanced cost and speed; smaller documented integration set |
| Keep current tool | 3.50 | 62% | 2.17 | Fast and inexpensive; manual control problem remains |

## Decision rule

- Workflow fit: 35%
- Three-year cost: 25%
- Data control: 25%
- Time to usable: 15%

## Required next checks

1. Run the same representative export through Northstar and Fieldline.
2. Verify full-fidelity export and role-based access directly.
3. Replace the internal migration estimate with a tested range.
4. Recalculate the matrix if the cost weight rises above 40%.
5. Record the approver and schedule a review after the first monthly cycle.