How to make a decision tree
A decision tree breaks a choice into a series of questions. Each answer leads to another question or to a final outcome, so anyone can follow the path to the right result without guessing.
Start with the question
Write the main question as a decision shape at the top of the page. Make it a question with a clear answer: "Is the order over 50?" works better than "Order size".
Branch on every answer
- Add a shape for each possible answer and connect it to the question.
- Label every branch (Yes and No, or the actual options) with a text label next to the connector.
- Continue with the next question on each branch until you reach an outcome.
- End every path with an outcome shape, such as a terminator.
Let NodeFlow lay it out
Draw the connections in any order, then choose Arrange, Layout: tree, top to bottom. Every parent is centred over its children and nothing overlaps. To read it left to right instead, choose Layout: tree, left to right.
Checks before you share it
- Every decision has an exit for every possible answer.
- No two paths end in the same outcome by accident.
- The longest path is not much deeper than the others; if it is, the question order may be wrong.