We Need To Make a Decision!

Decisions need to be made every step along the way. The first thing to recognize is that decisions are difficult to make in a group. Your group will have a certain amount of information on a topic and have to make a decision based on that. Here are some well-tested methods for making decisions that you may find useful. Coalition members can discuss and choose a decision-making process that best fits their group.

Table of Decision Making Processes

Method
Description
Tips
Consensus Through discussion, all people support the final decision, even if it is not their first personal choice. Pure consensus is 100% agreement.
  • Encourage individuals to consider issues other than personal interests.
  • Provide time for discussion
  • Believe that out of discussion, comes better decisions
Modified Consensus Through discussion, the maximum possible agreement is achieved among group members who choose to participate. Agreement of all group members may not be reached.
  • Make clear to those who withdraw or forfeit the right to criticize or work against the decision that is reached.
  • Try to avoid extensive use, given the potential to damage group ownership.
Motion or Majority Vote Motions are brought forth and seconded, and then individuals vote either verbally or in writing.
  • Allow a time lag before finalizing the decision or implementing it.
  • Try to avoid rushed decisions.
  • Build discussion time into meetings.
Nominal Group Process Highly structured process with few knowledgeable representatives of the target population. Ideas are silently written, shared with group, discussed, and privately ranked. Group decision is based on pooled outcome of individual votes.
  • Try to reserve this technique for difficult, complex decisions.
  • Can also be used for generating new ideas.
Charting The group works together to develop a chart that lays out the things to consider when making a decision. Use six columns: 1) Description of problem, 2) Criteria for a satisfactory solution, 3)Possible solutions, 4)Drawbacks, costs, and obstacles for each solution, 5)Expected benefits from each solution, 6)Judgments or conclusions about each solution.
  • May be best used when implication of solutions are unclear.
  • Be prepared to spend a lot of time with this procedure.
Ranking Procedure Start with a list up to 10 items. Have these written on a flip chart, overhead, power point, or blackboard, so that they are visible to the whole group. Have each member of the group assign a number to each item for how important he/she feels it is.
  • Particularly useful if there are divergent positions in the group.
  • An objective way to set priorities.

 

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See also > Center for Health Promotion > Health Promotion and Chronic Disease