Pros and Cons List Template
Weigh the arguments for and against a decision on one board. A pros and cons list makes your thinking visible and helps you decide with confidence.
Free to start · Swiss-made · GDPR compliant
Making a pros and cons list as a team
The Collaboard template has two large columns, green for Pro and red for Con, with a deck of matching notes next to them. Everyone writes arguments on notes and drags them into the right column, so the whole team builds the list together.
Phrase the decision
Write the decision as a yes-or-no question at the top, for example: Should we move the weekly meeting online?
Collect arguments
Everyone adds arguments on green notes for pro and red notes for con, one argument per note.
Merge duplicates
Group notes that say the same thing, so each argument appears only once.
Weigh the arguments
Mark how much each argument counts, for example with a number from 1 to 3 on the note.
Compare and discuss
Look at the weighted arguments, not just the number of notes. One strong con can outweigh several small pros.
Decide and record
Make the decision, write it on the board and note the main reasons.
What is a pros and cons list?
A pros and cons list collects the arguments for and against one decision side by side. It is one of the simplest decision tools, and it works best when the question is clear: should we do this, yes or no?
The two columns of the template
- Pro Arguments in favor of the decision. Example: for moving the weekly team meeting online, less travel time.
- Con Arguments against it. Example: fewer informal conversations before and after the meeting.
If you need to compare several options against the same criteria, a priority matrix or a SWOT analysis gives you more structure.
Decisions that suit a pros and cons list
- Team decisions Make the arguments behind a decision visible to everyone.
- Personal decisions Think through a job offer, a move or a larger purchase.
- Workshops Collect arguments quickly before a vote.
- Documenting decisions Keep the board as a record of why a decision was made.
Weighing arguments instead of counting them
- One decision per list If you are choosing between several options, make one list per option.
- Count weight, not notes Ten small advantages don't automatically beat one serious risk.
- Collect first, judge later Gather all arguments before discussing them. Otherwise strong voices shape the list early.
- Check assumptions Mark arguments that are assumptions and verify them before you decide.
Why Collaboard
A Swiss-made online whiteboard for teams that care where their data lives.
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Invite anyone with a link
Guests join your board for free, right in the browser. Nothing to install, no extra licenses for participants.
Made in Switzerland, with real support
Collaboard is developed in Switzerland. When you need help, you talk to people who know the product.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pros and cons list template free?
Yes, the pros and cons list template is free to use with a Collaboard account. The free plan includes up to 3 boards and five people per session.
How do I make a pros and cons list?
To make a pros and cons list, write down the decision, list all arguments for and against it, then weigh them.
Should arguments on a pros and cons list be weighted?
Yes, weighting the arguments on a pros and cons list helps, because not every argument matters equally.
Can I compare more than one option with a pros and cons list?
Yes, create a pros and cons list for each option and compare them side by side.
Can a team work on a pros and cons list together?
Yes, a team can add arguments to the same pros and cons list in Collaboard in real time.
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