# Explainable quiz rule matrix

Fictional adult craft-workshop example, rule version `workshop-formats-v1`. These are proposed rules for this aid, not Compass's algorithm, a diagnosis, or a proven business outcome. No email or account is needed to use the example.

## Eligibility before preference

| Option | Can attend live | Private feedback required | Willing to join a group |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Self-paced workbook | Either | Must be No | Either |
| Group studio | Must be Yes | Must be No | Must be Yes |
| One-to-one session | Must be Yes | Either; feedback is available | Either |

“Can attend live” permits live attendance; it does not require it. “Private feedback required: No” permits a feedback option without requiring it. Every required answer must be explicit, even where a particular option does not use it.

1. If any of the three required answers is missing, show **Incomplete** and no recommendation.
2. Exclude every option that fails at least one required rule. State every failed rule for that option.
3. If a format preference names an eligible option, rank that option first. Keep the other eligible options visible.
4. If the preference is absent or ineligible, keep all eligible options equal. One remaining option is the sole fit. More than one is an explicit comparison, not an invented winner.
5. If no options remain, show **No suitable option**. Explain the conflict and consider another offering; do not change the person's answers.
6. Display order is always workbook, group, one-to-one. Order is not a score or price ranking.

## Checks worth trying

| Answers or action | Expected result |
| --- | --- |
| Cannot attend live; requires private feedback | No fit regardless of group willingness or preference |
| Can attend live; requires private feedback | One-to-one only |
| Cannot attend live; does not require private feedback | Workbook only |
| Can attend live; no private requirement; willing to join group; no preference | All three eligible, explicit comparison |
| Prefers group but is not willing to join group | Group stays excluded; compare the remaining eligible options or show the sole fit |
| Clear one required answer after a result | Incomplete; remove the prior options and recommendation |
| Reset | Clear all three required answers; preference returns to No preference |

There are 32 complete combinations: 2×2×2 required answers times 4 preference choices. Expected outcomes are 21 single results, 3 ties, and 8 no-fit results. See the companion [complete answer table](quiz-answer-cases.csv). Those totals describe this fictional rule set, not conversion or customer demand.

## Adapt the contract

| Field | Your decision |
| --- | --- |
| The buyer decision | |
| Real offered options and stable IDs | |
| Requirements that exclude an option | |
| Preferences that rank eligible options | |
| Visible eligible and excluded reasons | |
| Exact missing-answer behavior | |
| Tie and no-fit behavior | |
| Deterministic display order | |
| What changes when a prior answer changes | |
| Observed keyboard/mobile/reload result | Not tested |

Test the complete rule matrix in your implementation before adding optional contact collection. A useful explanation does not establish that saved leads, permissions, messages, or payments work.