I think there will inevitably be more strategy and less micromanagement as features get added and the interface improves, but I do agree with your goal. The fun part of the game is making the tough decisions where the "best" choice depends on the current conditions, actions of your opponents, and other decisions you make. The parts that feel like work are those decisions where one option is almost always better than the other. These can be "no-brainers" where the right choice is obvious, or you have to do some math to determine which is best.
So, for a decision tree, do you mean something like:
I. Sovereign Specialization
1) Combat
A- Warrior
B- Offensive Spellcaster
C- Support Spellcaster
D- Commander
E- Adventurer
2) Magic
Specialized by magic books, available shards, specific spells you choose to cast
3) Leadership
A- Stay in city to provide bonuses
B- Recruit many NPCs
C- Skilled at diplomacy/trade
4) Hybrid or two or more specialization
5) Start as one specialization and switch to another through leveling up, research, magic, equipment