Video Production Decision Log
This is a practical guide to building a decision log for a video production project — a record of the key decisions made, by whom and why, adapted to the realities of producing a video or film.
What a Decision Log is
A decision log is a record of the key decisions made, by whom and why. For the full concept and how it works in general, see Decision Log. On a video production project it plays the same role, tuned to this kind of work.
Why it matters for a Video Production project
Video Production projects live or die on producing a video or film. A well-built decision log gives the team a shared, explicit reference for exactly that — reducing ambiguity, aligning stakeholders, and making problems visible early enough to act. Skipping it, or doing it generically, is how video production projects drift into avoidable delay and cost.
What to include
- Decision
- Date and owner
- Rationale
- Alternatives considered
- Impact
Video Production-specific considerations
Tailor the decision log to the risks that most often derail video production projects:
- Creative revisions
- Shoot logistics
- Post-production timelines
Example
On a real video production project, the decision log would be shaped by producing a video or film. In particular, it should explicitly account for the project’s biggest risks — creative revisions, shoot logistics, post-production timelines — rather than treating them as afterthoughts.