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From RECL 3P25 Fall 2011 - Group 01 - Consensus Decision-Making
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| - | + | == '''Consensus Decision-Making''' == | |
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| '''Consensus decision-making''' is a group decision making process that works to creatively include all people in making final decisions. When working to come to a common decision, you have to give and take. Contributions of all group members are collaborated and synthesized to come to a solution that everyone can agree on. It is important to remember that this is not a voting process it is a decision making technique to help to come to an agreement on the topic at hand that everyone agrees on. Not everyone will be happy with the result, but everyone will be able to live with the outcome. | '''Consensus decision-making''' is a group decision making process that works to creatively include all people in making final decisions. When working to come to a common decision, you have to give and take. Contributions of all group members are collaborated and synthesized to come to a solution that everyone can agree on. It is important to remember that this is not a voting process it is a decision making technique to help to come to an agreement on the topic at hand that everyone agrees on. Not everyone will be happy with the result, but everyone will be able to live with the outcome. | ||
Revision as of 21:32, 23 November 2011
Contents |
Consensus Decision-Making
Consensus decision-making is a group decision making process that works to creatively include all people in making final decisions. When working to come to a common decision, you have to give and take. Contributions of all group members are collaborated and synthesized to come to a solution that everyone can agree on. It is important to remember that this is not a voting process it is a decision making technique to help to come to an agreement on the topic at hand that everyone agrees on. Not everyone will be happy with the result, but everyone will be able to live with the outcome.
Decisions are developed collaboratively, involving each member of the group. Any individual who has concerns regarding the direction in which the decision making process is going, are encouraged to voice their concerns to ensure that they are incorporated regarding the outcome of the decision.
History
Application
Procedure
Group Consensus Decision-Making is a process that can take time, and can be completed through a systematic way to ensure the most efficient and successful results. The main procedure of the Consensus Decision-Making process consist of the following steps:
1. Introduction of issue – During this stage, the group compiles and shares all of the information that is relevant pertaining to the specific task.
2. Define question - Identify the important or the key questions that need to be addressed.
3. Discussion – This allows participants to voice their individual opinions, thoughts and ideas.
4. Proposal made - This stage consists of attempting to incorporate every group member's thoughts and ideas to come to a final decision that everyone will be able to deal with.
5. Discuss proposal – During this stage, the group looks at the strengths and weaknesses regarding the specific outcome that they have achieved.
6. Amend or change proposal - The group has the opportunity to account for any concerns that the group may have with the outcome. During this time, the original proposal often changes.
7. Test for consensus – This is the process where the groups can test which members are in agreement or not with the specific outcome. Additionally, any objections with the outcome are identified.
8. All agree then consensus reached
9. Implement decision
Throughout the Consensus Decision-Making process, it may be difficult for every member of the group to have the opportunity to voice their individual opinions during the discussion period. Additionally, it is important for other group members to effectively listen, and to allow everybody else in the group to voice their opinions as well. There are specific strategies that can be utilized to ensure that each member of the group has the same opportunity to voice their own opinions and concerns to ensure that everybody has equal input in the direction in which the group is moving towards the final decision. Below are a list of strategies that can be implemented to help to ensure that an equal amount of input is given from all group members.
Guidelines
• The group member's proposal/idea/ opinion is presented clearly to the group
• Present your position as logically as possible
• Think before you speak, make only key, important points
• Questions can be asked by anyone who wants to discuss it
• Each proposal is discussed, differences in opinion are natural and expected
• Do not assume there will be a winner and a loser, its not a debate
• Share feelings or approval/disagreement
• If a major objection occurs, the proposal is not passed
• If a strong concern is brought up, the proposal can still pass and the original concern will be noted
• Avoid techniques such as majority rule and votes
• Consensus Decision-Making involves discussion and accountability
• It is important to understand the concept of: Empowering vs. Overpowering - empowering members of the group to have their own opinions and beliefs rather than just one person "dominating" the discussion and as a result they get everything that they want
Strengths
When compared to other techniques, consensus decision making can be seen as a more inclusive and democratic approach to implementing decisions. A strength of this particular technique is that it fosters individual opinions and beliefs. Everyone is given the opportunity to express their personal opinion and ideas. This is one of the many reasons consensus decision making is more effective than other techniques commonly used, such as, voting. Voting does not allow individuals to express their ideas. Voting usually involves picking between a number of choices. In consensus decision making, being able to compromise plays a large role in the final decision.
Main Strengths
•Better quality decisions – the decisions are critically analyzed by an entire group of people so the final decision is the best one possible
•Decision reflects entire group - the final decision is cohesive amongst all group members and does not just reflect the opinion of one or few people
•Confrontation is limited - conflict and disagreement is lessened due to an open discussion concept, people are able to freely express their ideas and opinions
•Facilitates active listening - everyone in the group is listening to each other which increases the chance of individual understanding
•Everyone has a stake in the final decision – people are more likely to follow through with their role in the implementation of the final decision due to ownership
Additionally, an important strength of consensus decision making is it promotes win-win outcomes. If the group is successful in their decision making, everyone is happy and therefore it becomes a win-win situation. Even if the decision was not exactly what everyone wanted, people are able to live with the outcome and actively participate in the final decision.
Limitations/ Barriers
A Group Exceeds Its Carrying Capacity – A group that has a large amount of members can restrain the decision making process delaying the final decision for days to months to follow.
Lack Of Regulations To Lead – decision-making groups are not given enough information on what policies to follow which in turn can lead groups to the wrong conclusions.
Little To No Leadership – there is not a specific leader in the process of decision making which can make it confusing for groups of people to achieve their objectives.
Differences On A Group's Work Structure – the Decision making process doesn’t help if two different groups already have preset goals and priorities to follow. This can lead to a misunderstanding if members are not knowledgeably aware of another group’s terminology.
Types of Problematic Members include:
The ‘Blocker' - a person who rejects the decision because they feel strongly against it.
The ‘Withdrawer' - a person who neither complies or rejects the decision made.
The ‘Non-Supportive’ Member – a person who doesn’t care for the decision but still agrees with it.
The 'Compliant' Member – a person who complies with others in the group even if they don’t really care or are strongly against the decision being made.
The ‘Reserved’ Member - a person who believes it’s an issue but agrees to live with it.
Tips for Successful Implementation
For successful implementation of a consensus and decision making technique it is key to ensure that all members of the group are contributing ideas and having the chance to be heard, and have their ideas equally considered amongst others contributions. It is also key to make sure that the idea and discussion being had is clear, and people understand exactly what they are discussing, and what the impacts of the decision will be and who they impact, because this may alter or influence the participants ideas and general feelings about a decision.It is essential to have the situation being discussed in writing, so it is visual for everyone to see as the conversation proceeds and its also key to implement techniques that control the conversation to avoid over powering personalities, even though its natural for some member to have a stronger opinion. Avoiding over powering personalities from deterring others from being heard, or becoming intimidating to the rest of the group, as this will minimize participation and may create limitations.
Providing visual aids, that show the groups progress, such as the use of a chart, where everyone has a space to contribute and then putting common ideas in the middle allows for people to our ideas down, without being verbal, insuring even those who are quitter are contributing and gathering common ideas shows popular and strong ideas to start with and build off of.
Another thing to keep in mind when coming to a decision or concenus is "A friendly amendment" this is a suggestion that adds to another persons idea, instead of being opposed or "blocking" a proposal. It's not a new idea, but a way of making an existing option more effective, and to adapt and consider more peoples ideas.
Time allocation is very important, although it is important to set deadlines, its also important to allow for enough time, even if it mean more then one discussion session. As if time is rushed, the decision will reflect the rush and the best possible outcome may not be achieved. When everyone works as a cohesive group, and is accepting of each others opinions and is willing to give and take, and strong decision may be achieved by the group on the situation at hand.
References
Tips for coming to a consensus, retrieved from: http://www.markshep.com/peace/Consensus.html, on November 19/11
Guidelines for coming to a consensus, retrieved from: http://seedsforchange.org.uk/free/consensus#guide, on November 23/11
Consensus decision making procedures, retrieved from: http://www.youngfoundation.org/files/images/grp_dec_mak_website.pdf, on November 17/11
Barriers to reaching a group consensus, retrieved from: http://www.actupny.org/documents/CDdocuments/Consensus.html, on November 18/11
Strategic leadership for consensus decision making, retrieved from: http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt3ch11.html, on November 22/11
External Links
Glossary of Terms [1]
Strategic Leadership and Decision-Making [2]
Process Chart [3]
Barriers & Limitations [4]
Implementation [5]
Authors
Travis Clements, Michelle Pett, Mackenzie Gibson, Ryan Kasperowitsch, Erin Burford, Emily Bandeen.
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