Stop / Retry / Escalate decision tree (template)
A decision tree for bounded retries: classify failures, enforce time budgets, and escalate with an operator payload.
FreeJan 21, 2026
What’s inside
Individual files are accessible (best for SEO/AI), plus you can download the full ZIP.
From this article
Browse allUse this when retries are making an incident worse.
What you get
stop-retry-escalate-decision-tree.mdretry-budget-template.mdlayered-retry-audit-checklist.md
How to use
- Print or paste the decision tree into your incident doc.
- Pick a total time budget for the call path (web request vs job step).
- Define STOP, RETRY, and ESCALATE rules in one place.
- Audit layered retries (HttpClient, Polly, queue redelivery) and remove duplicates.
- Add per-attempt logs so you can prove attempts, delays, and budget usage.
Need the cross-service standard (templates, bulkheads/breakers, registry + queryable retry telemetry)?
Retry Policy Kit ($49) →
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