The GroundLens Decision Framework™

Three layers of evidence

Every claim in a decision should be assignable to one of these three layers. Anything that fits none of them is an assumption and should be treated as an open item, not evidence.

• Verified — sourced facts: districts, plats, tax rates, written confirmations.
• Observed — documented conditions at a specific place, date, and time.
• Interpreted — reasoned conclusions, clearly labeled as interpretation.

Score against your own criteria

Return to your ranked top five. Score each candidate community against those five criteria only, using the evidence layers above. Resist adding criteria mid-comparison — that is how a favorite becomes a conclusion.

Confidence, not certainty

Confidence reflects how much of your decision rests on verified and observed evidence rather than interpretation. Low confidence isn't a verdict against a property — it's a list of what to verify next.

Compare, then decide

• Two or three candidates, scored the same way.
• Open items listed explicitly for each.
• A decision recorded with its reasons, so it can be revisited calmly.