Start with a decision
Choose New → Branchpoint. Continuum creates a root decision and two option branches so the first question is explicit before evidence begins to accumulate.
Use a Decision for the question, Option for a possible path, Evidence for a supporting or opposing fact, Risk for uncertainty or downside, and Outcome for a terminal result.
Build valid branches
Branchpoint protects the structure while a freeform canvas does not:
- a decision connects to options;
- an option connects to another decision, evidence, a risk, or an outcome;
- evidence, risks, and outcomes are leaves;
- a node receives at most one incoming branch;
- branches cannot point back and create a cycle.
An invalid connection is rejected before saving, with a short explanation. Grouping remains available for organizing a large decision without changing these structural rules.
Traverse the path
Double-click a decision or option to focus its path. Continuum centers the next level, emphasizes the ancestors and immediate branch, and dims alternatives without removing them. Choose Exit traversal to restore the full comparison.
Traversal is presentation state, not authored data: following one option never marks it as chosen and never rewrites the graph.
Worked technical example
For a service migration, begin with How should we replace the queue? Add Managed service and Self-hosted options. Attach evidence about throughput and operational ownership, risks about vendor lock-in or staffing, and outcomes describing the expected migration state.
If either option creates another genuine choice—such as region strategy—connect it to a new Decision and continue the tree.