BULDING THE FUTURE

Introduction

Many organizations are making decisions on complex issues by involving everyone who has a stake in the outcome in the decision-making process. This process is known as building consensus. Using consensus processes for decision making captures local wisdom and expertise to create local solutions to local issues. This becomes the basis for support when it comes time to implement the plan.

Consensus decision-making

Stakeholders are individuals or groups who are affected by the decisions being made or who could roadblock the successful implementation of the decisions. In a consensus process, these participants work together to design both a process and an outcome that maximizes their ability to resolve their differences.

Interests are a collection of needs that a person or group must have met by the agreement. For example: beliefs and values, fears and concerns, hopes and expectations. Once the interests of all parties are explored, it's easier to find a solution that meets the interests of both parties to the greatest possible degree.

A position is a solution that meets one's own needs. Positions are often expressed as I want, I don't want, I will or I will not. Positions narrow the focus of the discussion. This can result in compromises that don't satisfy all parties' concerns.

Stakeholders are affected by the consensus solution and play a significant role in how the solution is implemented. Although all parties may not agree with certain aspects of the final package, consensus is reached if all participants can accept and live with the entire package.

Advantages of using Consensus Processes

Consensus processes have several identified advantages over other decision-making methods when addressing complex issues. Those advantages include:

• ensuring that all significant interests are represented and respected
• enabling participants to deal with each other directly
• giving an effective voice to all participants
• allowing parties involved to design a process that meets their special needs and circumstances
• providing a forum that encourages new partnerships and models
• cooperative problem solving
• seeking solutions that maximize all interests and promote long-term, sustainable solutions.

Keeping every stakeholder fully informed of progress is an important part of the consensus process.

Using Consensus Processes

Organizations often use alternative dispute resolution to reduce costs and save time for both their Board and all of the other stakeholders involved. Alternative dispute resolution refers to any method of resolving disputes that uses a consensus process model. The term often refers to any process outside of the court system, where disputing parties come to mutual agreement on a solution with or without the help of a mediator. These methods are more informal and flexible than a formal hearing.

Negotiation occurs when two parties meet together to resolve a conflict. If a consensus model is used, each party represents its own interests while recognizing that all parties stand to gain more if the solution meets everyone's interests. In some cases, one or more of the stakeholders may perceive that one or more of the other parties are not willing to accept or compromise over an interest held by that stakeholder. This may cause that stakeholder to take an intractable stance on one or more of their positions. If this occurs, negotiations may come to a complete standstill possibly even resulting in a failure to reach a final solution.

In mediation, a neutral third party joins the negotiations to help the parties develop solutions using a consensus process. The mediator's role is to provide a structure and a process that allows the two (or more) parties to develop a solution that is agreeable to all. The mediator doesn't judge, make decisions, come to conclusions or impose solutions. By focusing on the future, mediation allows parties to move beyond past issues.

Mediation is usually the most preferred by the parties involved because, unlike litigation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution, mediation is more likely to provide a win-win situation for all parties.

Results

Groups and individuals who have used a consensus process have identified the following results:

• improved working relationships between participating parties
• a better understanding and respect for the different viewpoints represented
• better informed, more creative, balanced and enduring decisions
• shared commitment to and responsibility for the process, results and implementation
• consensus processes can be used along with other processes.

Summary

In some cases, only some components of the issue are resolved using a consensus process, yet the model can be used to structure discussion, clarify the issues, and build respect and understanding between the parties.