---
title: Forced Decision methods for the PHP SDK
slug: feature-experimentation/docs/forced-decision-methods-php
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-05T20:39:57.000Z
---

These methods help test and debug various flows of your client applications by forcing users into a specific variation.

The PHP SDK checks forced decisions before making any decisions. If a matching item is found for the requested flag, the PHP SDK returns the forced decision immediately ([audience conditions](docId\:UDBvr5a8WHNkyOqzPhOr9) and traffic allocations are ignored) before making normal decisions.

The PHP SDK checks for forced decisions at the start of each decision process. If a matching forced decision is found, it returns the decision immediately.

- **Flag-to-Decision** – The SDK checks at the start of any decide call for the given flag.
- **Experiment-Rule-to-Decision** – The SDK checks at the start of the decision for the given experiment rule of the flag key.
- **Delivery-Rule-to-Decision** – The SDK checks at the start of the decision for the given delivery rule of the flag key.

:::hint{type="danger"}
**Warning**
You must associate your variations to a [flag rule](docId:-yq2-thNRv7-SgwCXpG90) before calling any Forced Decision methods.
:::

On forced decisions, the PHP SDK fires impression events and notifications just like other normal decisions (unless disabled by the [disableDecisionEvent](docId\:F9xX8jXINfiqW_X0uYcZk) option).

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
These forced decisions are not persistent and are cleared when the [OptimizelyUserContext](docId\:aNKH4srLYCTT3KQSCmC7A) is re-initialized.
:::

For information, click the method name.

- [setForcedDecision](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN)
- [getForcedDecision](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN)
- [removeForcedDecision](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN)
- [removeAllForcedDecisions](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN)

### OptimizelyDecisionContext

```php
class OptimizelyDecisionContext
{
    private $flagKey;
    private $ruleKey;

    public function __construct($flagKey, $ruleKey);

    // get flag key
    public function getFlagKey();

    // get rule key
    public function getRuleKey();
}
```

### OptimizelyForcedDecision

```php
class OptimizelyForcedDecision
{
    private $variationKey;

    public function __construct($variationKey);
  
  	// get variation key
    public function getVariationKey();
}
```

## Set forced decision method - setForcedDecision()

### Version

3.9.0

### Description

Sets a forced decision (`variationKey`) for a given `OptimizelyDecisionContext`.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the PHP SDK.

| Parameter                  | Type  | Description                                                                                                                                  |
| -------------------------- | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **context** \*required\*   | Class | An instance of \`OptimizelyDecisionContext\` with the required \`flagKey\` and optional \`ruleKey\` for the forced decision you want to set. |
| **decision**\ \*required\* | Class | An instance of \`OptimizelyForcedDecision\` with the required \`variationKey\` for the forced decision you want to set.                      |

### Returns

A boolean value that indicates if setting the forced decision (`variationKey`) was completed.

### Example

See the complete [PHP SDK example](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN).

## Get forced decision method - getForcedDecision()

### Version

3.9.0

### Description

Returns the forced decision (`variationKey`) for a given `OptimizelyDecisionContext`. Returns the `OptimizelyForcedDecision` instance or null if there is no matching item.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the PHP SDK.

| Parameter                | Type  | Description                                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------------ | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **context** \*required\* | Class | An instance of \`OptimizelyDecisionContext\` with the required \`flagKey\` and optional \`ruleKey\` for the forced decision you want to get. |

### Returns

A forced decision `OptimizelyForcedDecision` instance for the context or null if there is no matching item.

### Example

See the complete [PHP SDK example](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN).

## Remove forced decision method - removeForcedDecision()

### Version

3.9.0

### Description

Removes the forced decision (`variationKey`) for a given `OptimizelyDecisionContext`.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the PHP SDK.

| Parameters               | Type  | Description                                                                                                                                     |
| ------------------------ | ----- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **context** \*required\* | Class | An instance of \`OptimizelyDecisionContext\` with the required \`flagKey\` and optional \`ruleKey\` for the forced decision you want to remove. |

### Returns

A success/failure boolean status if the forced decision (`variationKey`) was removed.

### Example

See the complete [PHP SDK example](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN).

## Remove all forced decisions method - removeAllForcedDecisions()

### Version

3.9.0

### Description

Removes all forced decisions (`variationKey`) for the user context.

### Parameters

This table lists the required and optional parameters for the PHP SDK.

| Parameters | Type | Description |
| ---------- | ---- | ----------- |
| None       | N/A  | N/A         |

### Returns

A success/failure boolean status.

### Example

See the complete [PHP SDK example](docId\:b_dZ-Mvq044DYpWi3EyvN).

## Full Code Example

```php
$optimizelyClient = OptimizelyFactory::createDefaultInstance($sdkKey);

$user = $optimizelyClient->createUserContext('test_user', $attributes);

$flagContext = new OptimizelyDecisionContext('flag-1', null);
$flagAndABTestContext = new OptimizelyDecisionContext('flag-1', 'ab-test-1');
$flagAndDeliveryRuleContext = new OptimizelyDecisionContext('flag-1', 'delivery-1');
$variationAForcedDecision = new OptimizelyForcedDecision('variation-a');
$variationBForcedDecision = new OptimizelyForcedDecision('variation-b');
$variationOnForcedDecision = new OptimizelyForcedDecision('on');

// set a forced decision for a flag
$success = $user->setForcedDecision($flagContext, $variationAForcedDecision);
$decision = $user->decide('flag-1');

// set a forced decision for an ab-test rule
$success = $user->setForcedDecision($flagAndABTestContext, $variationBForcedDecision);
$decision = $user->decide('flag-1');

// set a forced variation for a delivery rule
$success = $user->setForcedDecision($flagAndDeliveryRuleContext, $variationOnForcedDecision);
$decision = $user->decide('flag-1');

// get forced variations
$forcedDecision = $user->getForcedDecision($flagContext);
echo "[ForcedDecision] variationKey = {$forcedDecision}";

// remove forced variations
$success = $user->removeForcedDecision($flagAndABTestContext);
$success = $user->removeAllForcedDecisions();
```

## See Also

[OptimizelyUserContext](docId\:aNKH4srLYCTT3KQSCmC7A)