Consensus Decision-Making Techniques

Below is a list of recommended techniques that can be called upon, modified, and/or combined to help facilitate an effective concensus process.

Brainstorm

The collaborative creation and recording of idea without analysis or judgement. The aim is a high quantity of diverse ideas relating to the same issue. This is a group tactic usually used at the beginning of a decision-making process or when there seems to be a creative block.

Dotmocracy

Use advanced dotmocracy sheets to collect ideas and record levels of opinion. See dotmocracy.org for the complete handbook.

Round-robin

This is a process which provides each person in the meeting a brief opportunity to give their views on the subject at hand. Participants can choose to pass or take their turn later. Generally conducted by the moderator who directs the turn taking around the room. This is a good way to involve quieter participants.

Anonymous Notes

This is the submission of unsigned written comments into a hat that are then mixed up and read back to the group. This allows people to present ideas without fear of personal judgments by the group. It is especially useful when issues are sensitive.

Collaborative Writing (AKA Single text)

All stakeholders take part in writing a common document that explains the issues, interests, proposals, concerns, reasoning, and conclusion. Video projectors, overheads, white boards, and flip-charts are very useful for this kind of technique.

Break-out Groups

When there are many people in a meeting and several issues to discuss, have the group break into sub-groups, each investigating a specific issue. Then have a report back on each group's results. This can speed up discussion and provide increased opportunity for participation. It is also a more intimate format useful for sensitive topics.

Breaking-up in Stages

A complex issue often takes time to understand and formulate a plan of action. Discussions of complex issues can be broken up into stages that are accomplished over several meetings, giving more opportunity for reflection and needed research.

Silence

Opportunity for reflection, calming, and reading of documentation.

Survey

A survey is a form of vote that is non-binding. It allows the group to recognize the depth and pervasiveness of views. This is often a good way to gauge how close the group is to consensus. Surveying can be done systematically using written questions or more organically with simple hand expressions during discussion (e.g. nod to approve, wiggle fingers to strongly approve, shake head to disapprove, swipe hands to strongly disapprove).
Surveys should include methods for registering how confident each participant is with their choice. This is useful for recognizing how deep or shallow opinions are and thus how open the group is to continued reformulation.

Fishbowl

A subgroup of active participants that represent different views discuss a topic in front of the whole group. After a set period of time, the group reconvenes and discusses the discussion. This is a good way of allowing some people to speak more while others can critically examine and consider what is said.

Pass the Page

For deciding on simple specific issues (e.g. date of next meeting; preferred flyer design). Have all the options written on pages and passed around the group. Members can add check-marks and/or comments to share their opinions of the options. Once complete, discuss results.

Delegate

For dealing with issues that require constant engagement, e.g. project management, delegate to a trusted person or team. Have this person/team report back to the group regularly.

Elect an an Artist

When a group can not decide on a subjective decision (e.g. the best colour of chairs to buy; best poster image) elect someone with respected artistic taste and let them decide, based on guidance from the group.

Calling for Consensus

After a thorough discussion, have the chair person ask... “Can anyone suggest some improvements to this final proposal? Does anyone have any concerns that have not yet been addressed?” If not, then there is consensus.