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Meeting Size: Select Participants by Their Decision and Information Roles

Summary

Learn to choose meeting participants from decision authority and relevant knowledge, gather affected people’s input, and share outcomes beyond the room.

Published

Select Participants by the Roles the Decision Requires

Choose meeting participants from decision authority, relevant knowledge, and affected responsibilities. A smaller group still needs the information required for a sound decision.

Distinguish live participation from receiving the outcome. There is no universal headcount that suits every meeting.

Identify the Decision Maker and Contributors

For a new intake process, include decision authority and knowledge of current operations. Seek participation or advance input from technical experts when feasibility matters.

DACI distinguishes approvers from contributors. (Atlassian: DACI)

Collect Input from Affected People

Affected staff can contribute concerns and exceptions before the meeting. A small decision group still needs relevant perspectives.

When a representative attends, clarify delegated authority and issues that need consultation afterward.

Plan How Non-Attendees Receive the Outcome

Share the decision, reason, affected work, and effective date. Give people whose tasks change the information they need beyond a general transcript.

Reflect externally relevant changes on the service website, focusing on user conditions rather than internal attendance records.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the ideal meeting size?

A: It depends on the purpose and roles needed for the decision.

Q: Should outcome-only recipients attend?

A: Use a sharing route when sufficient, collecting necessary input beforehand.

Q: Can representatives decide alone?

A: Check delegated authority and gather relevant information and perspectives.

Q: What should I review after reducing attendance?

A: Look for missing evidence and post-decision rework, then revise participant roles.

Sources

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