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Invitee Quickstart

This page is for people who were invited into an existing decision.

Your job is simple: understand the decision, review the options, and submit responses that help the group choose well.

What To Expect​

When you open an invite, you should be able to see:

  • the decision title and context
  • the list of options under consideration
  • any questions you are expected to answer
  • compare and feedback views that help you understand what the group is seeing

If you only need one sentence to understand Confab, use this:

Confab is a shared workspace where a group compares options and records a decision together.

Your Role​

Most invitees in the MVP will be assigned the Responder role.

That usually means you can:

  • review the decision context
  • open each option
  • answer the decision's questions
  • leave feedback that helps the group compare trade-offs
  • review the outcome once it is recorded

You may also be assigned Viewer, Editor, or Owner access, depending on the decision.

The Fastest Path Through A Decision​

1. Read the decision context​

Before answering anything, read the title and description carefully.

You should be able to answer these questions quickly:

  • What is the group deciding?
  • Which options are real contenders?
  • What kind of input is expected from me?

If that context is not clear, that is useful feedback for the facilitator.

2. Review the options​

Read through the option list first before responding. Do not evaluate the first option in isolation.

The goal is comparison, not just reaction.

3. Answer the questions consistently​

If the decision includes questions, answer them for each option using the same standard.

Examples:

  • feasibility
  • confidence
  • preference
  • concerns or risks

Be especially clear when you disagree with an option strongly or see a missing assumption.

4. Add concise reasoning​

Short, specific responses are more useful than vague reactions.

Good examples:

  • This option looks cheapest, but it increases migration risk.
  • I rated this lower because we do not have the implementation capacity this quarter.
  • This is the only option that solves the long-term problem instead of delaying it.

5. Check compare and feedback if needed​

You do not need to master every view. For MVP testing, the most useful surfaces are usually:

  • Compare for side-by-side option review
  • Feedback for aggregated responses and visible alignment

If those views help you understand the decision faster, that is a positive signal. If they feel confusing or decorative, that is important feedback too.

What Good Participation Looks Like​

You do not need to write an essay. A good contribution usually means:

  • answering the questions honestly
  • being consistent across options
  • calling out missing evidence or hidden trade-offs
  • making your strongest support or objection easy to understand

What To Do If You Get Stuck​

If you are unsure what to do:

  • confirm the decision context makes sense
  • check whether you are expected to answer every question for every option
  • ask the facilitator what kind of input they want

If the product itself is unclear, note the exact step where you became uncertain. That is useful beta feedback.

What To Ignore During MVP Testing​

Do not over-focus on advanced or obviously unfinished areas unless they block the main workflow.

The main test is whether you can:

  • understand the decision
  • review the options
  • submit responses
  • help the group reach a clearer outcome