Six Main Decision-Making OptionsSix Main Decision-Making Options

Lon Dehnert – FacilitatorOctober 14, 2:00

The university just decided that each of our areas will be receiving an additional $100,000.

The university just decided that each of our areas will be receiving an additional $100,000.

1. Spontaneous Agreement1. Spontaneous Agreement

To move forward with the initiative to re-structure the Office of Planning and Analysis we need to determine how that is going to be done and develop a plan to implement it.

To move forward with the initiative to re-structure the Office of Planning and Analysis we need to determine how that is going to be done and develop a plan to implement it.

2. One Person2. One Person

We have a serious issue with building space on this campus. We also have two programs one of which has been given two (2) new faculty, the other one has been given six (6). The program with the greatest increase has the smallest facility but the newest program and the one with the smallest increase has the largest facility, is more established with the oldest facilities.

We have a serious issue with building space on this campus. We also have two programs one of which has been given two (2) new faculty, the other one has been given six (6). The program with the greatest increase has the smallest facility but the newest program and the one with the smallest increase has the largest facility, is more established with the oldest facilities.

Considering that it is the oldest facility, it will be the first on the master plan to replace.

Considering that it is the oldest facility, it will be the first on the master plan to replace.

3. Compromise3. Compromise

We have a list of twelve possible initiatives that the group has developed through brainstorming. You each have 8 dots and during the next two minutes I would like for you to indicate your top 8 choices by placing a dot next to each.

We have a list of twelve possible initiatives that the group has developed through brainstorming. You each have 8 dots and during the next two minutes I would like for you to indicate your top 8 choices by placing a dot next to each.

Now that we’ve narrowed it down to the top _____ choices, let’s

vote for our top choice.

Now that we’ve narrowed it down to the top _____ choices, let’s

vote for our top choice.

Only vote for one with a show of hands.Only vote for one with a show of hands.

4. Multi-Voting4. Multi-Voting

We have been given two options for the new initiative. The first one will provide us with new facilities but we have to keep all our present equipment, the second will provide us new equipment but no new facilities.

We have been given two options for the new initiative. The first one will provide us with new facilities but we have to keep all our present equipment, the second will provide us new equipment but no new facilities.

5. Voting5. Voting

The sixth method takes buy-in from everyone involved. It is the slowest and likely the most difficult, but with the greatest potential for success when there are real differences in the group.

The sixth method takes buy-in from everyone involved. It is the slowest and likely the most difficult, but with the greatest potential for success when there are real differences in the group.

6. Consensus6. Consensus

Advantages & DisadvantagesAdvantages & Disadvantages

1. Spontaneous Agreement1. Spontaneous Agreement

• Pros - Fast, Easy, Unites

• Cons - Potentially too fast, lacks discussion

• Uses – When full discussion is not critical, with trivial matters

• Pros - Fast, Easy, Unites

• Cons - Potentially too fast, lacks discussion

• Uses – When full discussion is not critical, with trivial matters

2. One Person2. One Person

• Pros – Can be fast with clear accountability

• Cons – Lack of input, no buy-in, lack of synergy

• Uses – when one person is the expert and will take responsibility

• Pros – Can be fast with clear accountability

• Cons – Lack of input, no buy-in, lack of synergy

• Uses – when one person is the expert and will take responsibility

3. Compromise3. Compromise

• Pros – Has discussion, creates solutions

• Cons – Adversarial, win/lose, divides the group

• Uses – When positions are polarized and consensus is not likely

• Pros – Has discussion, creates solutions

• Cons – Adversarial, win/lose, divides the group

• Uses – When positions are polarized and consensus is not likely

4. Multi-voting4. Multi-voting

• Pros – systematic, objective, participative, feels like a win

• Cons – limits dialogue, influenced choices, real priorities may not surface

• Uses – to sort or prioritize a long list of options (post brainstorming)

• Pros – systematic, objective, participative, feels like a win

• Cons – limits dialogue, influenced choices, real priorities may not surface

• Uses – to sort or prioritize a long list of options (post brainstorming)

5. Voting5. Voting

• Pros – fast, high quality with dialogue and with a clear outcome

• Cons – may be too fast, winners & losers, no dialogue, influenced choices

• Uses – trivial matters, clear options, when division in group is okay

• Pros – fast, high quality with dialogue and with a clear outcome

• Cons – may be too fast, winners & losers, no dialogue, influenced choices

• Uses – trivial matters, clear options, when division in group is okay

6. Consensus6. Consensus• Pros – Collaborative, systematic,

participative, discussion-oriented, encourages commitment

• Cons – Takes time, requires data and member skill

• Uses – Important issue, where total buy-in really matters.

• Pros – Collaborative, systematic, participative, discussion-oriented, encourages commitment

• Cons – Takes time, requires data and member skill

• Uses – Important issue, where total buy-in really matters.

Questions?Questions?