Investment & Finance
ProMunger's Decision Checklist
芒格決策清單 · Source: Charlie Munger
Running a major decision through Munger's multi-mental-model filter before committing
Core Concept
Charlie Munger advocates using mental models from multiple disciplines to examine the same problem. His method: think in reverse (how to guarantee failure?), look for "don't do it" reasons, ask whose incentives might be distorting your judgment, and maintain discipline to wait for truly good opportunities.
✓ When to use this
Before final confirmation of major investments or life decisions. Run through Munger's multidisciplinary bias checklist (incentives, reciprocity, social proof, scarcity, authority…) to find where you are being unconsciously manipulated.
✗ When not to use this
Running the full checklist on small decisions becomes over-analysis. Beginners need to internalize each bias first — checklist without understanding degrades into ritual.
Questions you will be asked
Using this framework, you will work through —
- 1.What is this decision? Why are you considering it?
- 2.Inversion: If this is a trap, where is it? Who or what is most likely to make you regret it?
- 3.Incentives: Who is pushing you toward this decision? Are their incentives aligned with yours?
- …and 3 more
Related Frameworks
Psychology & Behavior
Cognitive Bias Checklist
Pre-flight check before any important decision — scan for five high-frequency biases before you commit
Management & Thinking
Inversion
Finding "how to guarantee failure" in order to reverse-engineer "how to guarantee success"
Management & Thinking
First Principles Thinking
Breaking "we've always done it this way" inertia — rebuilding solutions from the ground up