# Define the decision a meeting must make and what to read beforehand

Pins down the one decision a meeting exists to make, the options, and a short pre-read so people arrive ready to decide.

- Topic: Meetings
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Meetings, Write, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/define-the-decision-a-meeting-must-make-and-what-to-read-beforehand

## Prompt

```text
Help me define exactly what decision this meeting needs to make, and what participants should read before they arrive.

**Meeting topic and attendees:** [TOPIC, NAMES AND ROLES]
**Who has the authority to decide:** [PERSON OR GROUP]
**Background material available:** [PASTE OR LIST DOCUMENTS, DATA, EMAILS]
**Deadline that makes this decision urgent:** [DATE OR EVENT]

Steps:
1. Write the decision as a single question that can be answered at the meeting (e.g. "Do we launch in Q3 with reduced scope, or delay to Q4 with full scope?"). If the topic is too broad for one decision, split it and tell me which part must be decided first.
2. List the realistic options, including "do nothing" or "decide later" where relevant.
3. List the criteria the decision should be judged on, and any constraints (budget, policy, deadlines).
4. Identify what each attendee must know beforehand to decide well.

Return:
1. **Decision question** (one sentence) and **decision owner**.
2. **Options** with a one-line summary of each.
3. **Decision criteria.**
4. **Pre-read:** a note under 400 words covering context, options, key facts, and the question, plus a list of the specific documents or sections to read (with page or section names), marked Must read / Optional.
5. **Agenda line** to put in the invite (e.g. "Decide: X. Please read the pre-read by Tuesday 5 pm.").

Do not add facts or figures that are not in my material; mark gaps as [CONFIRM].
```

## What to fill in

- TOPIC, NAMES AND ROLES
- PERSON OR GROUP
- PASTE OR LIST DOCUMENTS, DATA, EMAILS
- DATE OR EVENT
- CONFIRM

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