Decision Explorer
Interactive, zoomable decision trees for the AI Decision Framework.
The Decision Explorer replaces the largest Mermaid diagrams from the Visual Framework with an interactive experience. Use it when you need to navigate a decision tree rather than just read one. The written docs remain the source of truth. The explorer is the map, not the territory.
Why an Explorer?
The static Mermaid diagrams in the Visual Framework are great for quick scanning in a document. When a decision tree spans multiple branches, constraints, and status badges, an interactive canvas lets you isolate one branch at a time and inspect the evidence behind each node.
The explorer gives you:
- Pan and zoom: Navigate large trees without losing your place
- Branch isolation: Focus on one decision path at a time (intake, bucket lanes, governance gates, data grounding, deployment)
- Click-through: Click any linked node to open its detail panel and jump to the reference documentation
- Minimap: Always know where you are in the full tree
- Detail panel: See status badges (GA / Preview / Limited Access / Experimental / Deprecated / GA not stated), descriptions, and links without leaving the graph
Available Decision Trees
All ten decision trees from the Visual Framework are available in the interactive explorer:
| # | Tree | What It Covers | Explorer View | Static Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete Decision Flow | End-to-end selection: agent checkpoint → Q0 buy-before-build gate → 3 AI Bucket lanes → platform & publish targets | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 2 | Persona-Based Flow | Role on-ramps decided by runtime ownership: End user, Maker (Studio harnesses), Business Builder (Code, Cowork, Studio apps, Managed Runtime, vibe), Developer, Data Scientist, Integration Specialist | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 3 | Data Grounding Decision | Question shape and trust boundary (inherited vs. implemented permissions) across documents, operational records, and vector engines | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 4 | Complexity Assessment | The four behavior-and-authority tiers (Informational, Transactional, Reasoning, Autonomous) from Evaluation Criteria | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 5 | Budget & Timeline | The four funding lanes: Seats (USL), Copilot Credits (UBB), Azure meters, and Prepaid commitments (Reservations, CCCU, ACU) | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 6 | Governance & Compliance | Five ANDed gates: risk tier, trust boundary & model path, identity & authorization, control layer, and network isolation | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 7 | Multi-Agent Orchestration | Boundary gate (Soloist vs. Orchestra) → connected agents (Copilot Studio, Foundry A2A v1.0) vs. workflow frameworks (Agent Framework, SK, LangGraph) | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 8 | Upgrade Paths | Progressive enhancement for low-code agents (Studio harness upgrade, connected agents, pro-code migration) and promotion for business-built apps (Managed Runtime vs. Power Apps vibe) | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 9 | Lifecycle Check | Pre-flight readiness gate: retirement horizon vs. operating life, maturity status (GA, Preview, Frontier, Unstated, Deprecated), and financial commitment alignment | Open flow | Mermaid version |
| 10 | IQ Layer Selection | Domain selection across the four Microsoft IQ layers (Foundry IQ, Work IQ, Fabric IQ, Web IQ) split by GA base vs. Preview extensions | Open flow | Mermaid version |
Launch the Explorer
The explorer opens in a new tab. Use it alongside these docs for the best experience.
How to Use It
- Select a flow from the dropdown in the top bar
- Browse the overview: all branches are shown by default, auto-laid-out
- Isolate a branch: click a branch tag (e.g., “data grounding”) to focus on just that path
- Click “All” to return to the full view
- Click any node to see its details, status, and documentation link
- Use the minimap (bottom-right) to orient yourself in larger trees
- Zoom with scroll or use the controls (bottom-left)
Keyboard Navigation
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Scroll wheel | Zoom in / out |
| Click + drag (canvas) | Pan the view |
| Click (node) | Open detail panel |
| Tab | Move focus between nodes |
Staying Connected
The explorer is a navigation layer, not a replacement for the written framework. Every outcome node links back to the relevant docs page. The learning path remains:
- Capability Model: Understand the “what”
- Microsoft AI Stack: See what Microsoft actually ships
- Decision Framework: Learn the “how”
- Decision Explorer (you are here): Navigate the “which”
- Technologies: Read the “details”
You are at the end of the framework. If you arrived here by walking the learning path, the next useful move is not another page. It’s applying the framework to a real decision, then coming back when it pushes back.
If you want fast lookup for a decision you have already reasoned through, use Quick Reference. If you need current specifications, Technologies and Resources carry the volatile detail.