A step-by-step guide to the most efficient and effective method for participatory group decision-making

Are you frustrated by that common challenge called group decision-making? Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making can help! Clearly written and well organized, keep this book by your side and refer to it often. Groups you are part of will function better as a result.
-- Peggy Holman, author, Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity

For any group or organization to function effectively, it must be able to make decisions well. Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making is the first book to offer groups (and group facilitators) a clear and efficient path to generating widespread agreement while fostering full participation and true collaboration.

Poised to become the new standard for group facilitation, Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making combines:

• Deep insight into complex group dynamics
• Effective conflict resolution techniques

• Powerful communication skills Groups using this simple, step-by-step approach experience increased cohesion and commitment and stronger relationships as a result of their successful cooperation.

  Incorporating the principles of collaboration, inclusion, empathy, and open-mindedness, the consensus-oriented decision-making (CODM) process encourages shared ownership of group decisions. The method can be used in any group situation, regardless of whether the final decision-making power rests with a single person or team, a vote of members, or unanimity.

  Business, government, nonprofit, social, and community organizations can all benefit from Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making . Whether you are a designated facilitator or an active participant, understanding this powerful framework will help you contribute to the success of your group through achieving maximum participation and efficiency, a clearer decision-making process, better decisions, and improved group dynamics.

  Tim Hartnett, PhD, is a group facilitator and mediator who blends extensive knowledge of non-violent communication with insightful understanding of group dynamics and effective techniques for conflict resolution.

  Autorentext

  Tim Hartnett, Ph.D. is a group facilitator, mediator, and family therapist. Tim earned a PhD in psychology studying high conflict families in divorce. He taught group process at John F. Kennedy graduate school. He has combined best practices from the fields of professional facilitation, conflict resolution, and non-violent communication to develop CODM, a model that can help any group find the widespread agreement they need to work together well.

  Inhalt

  Acknowledgments
  Introduction

  1. The Principles of Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making (CODM)
  
  Consensus and Unanimity
  Participatory Decision-Making
  Efficient Decision-Making Summary
  2. The CODM Facilitator Role
  
  Group Leadership
  General Qualities of Effective Facilitators
  The Facilitator's Primary Responsibilities
  3. Final Decision Rules - What's Right for Your Group?
  
  Person-in-Charge/Executive Committee
  Majority Rule
  Supermajority Rule
  Unanimity
  What Will Work Best for Your Group?
  4. CODM Process Overview - The Seven Steps
  
  An Outline of the Steps
  Step 1: Frame the Topic
  Step 2: Open Discussion
  Step 3: Identify Underlying Concerns
  Step 4: Collaborative Proposal Development
  Step 5: Choose a Direction
  Step 6: Synthesize a Final Proposal
  Step 7: Closure
  Modifying CODM
  CODM Shortcuts
  Spontaneous Resolution
  Summary
  5. Step 1: Framing the Issue
  
  Collect Agenda Items
  Clarify the Issue
  Interview a Sample of Group Members
  Identify and Delegate Pre-Meeting Research
  Introduce the Discussion
  6. Step 2: Facilitating Open Discussion
  
  Inspire an Open-Minded, Creative Discussion
  Provide Guidelines and Structure for the Discussion
  Manage the Discussion
  Support Full and Varied Participation
  Record Ideas
  Summary
  7. Step 3: Identifying Underlying Concerns
  
  Identify Stakeholders
  Identify Underlying Concerns
  Gather All the Concerns
  Summary
  8. Step 4: Collaborative Proposal Development
  
  Describe the Collaborative Process
  Select Root Ideas to Develop
  Develop the Options
  Facilitate Option Development
  9. Step 5: Choosing a Direction
  
  Check for Readiness to Choose a Direction
  Analyze the Proposal Options
  Preference Gradient Voting
  10. Step 6: Synthesizing a Final Proposal
  
  Review Any Unsatisfied Concerns
  Identify Details That Might Improve the Proposal
  Select Which Details to Include in the Proposal
  Compose Final Wording for the Proposal and a Process for Deciding Unresolved Details
  Improvising the Steps to a Final Proposal
  11. Step 7: Closure
  
  Apply the Group's Final Decision Rule
  Provide Empathy for Any Unsatisfied Participants
  Ratify Acceptance of the Group Decision
  Request Cooperation in Implementing the Decision
  Dealing with Unsatisfied Group Members
  Concluding the Seven Steps
  12. Going For Full Agreement (Unanimity)
  
  Conditions That Favor Unanimity
  Process Tools to Reach Unanimity
  Issues Arising from Consensus Blocking and Required Unanimity
  When Should a Group Require Unanimity?
  Summary

  Resources for Facilitators
  Appendix: CODM Crib Sheet
  Notes
  Index
  About the Author