BULDING THE FUTURE

You have called a meeting to make a decision on the events for the big fiftieth birthday celebration. You are aware of the diversity of the group and the determination of some of the members to spend the entire budget on entertainment. How will you possibly get agreement from this group?

Try using some of the techniques listed below to assist in the decision making process. This is only a partial list to get you started in facilitating a group throughout the decision making process.

Brainstorming:

Have a recorder list all the possible ideas from the group as quickly as possible without any evaluation of ideas. Gather as many ideas as you can as fast as you can. This list of ideas is then shortened and a final solution can be developed from the best items.

Brain-writing:

Each person records an idea or solution to the problem on a piece of paper and adds it to a pile. Everyone then takes a different paper from the pile and adds an idea related to the one already on that page. Write down the first thing that comes to mind. These ideas can then be compiled and discussed to develop a final solution. (This is often successful in a quieter group, when it is difficult to get everyone talking.)

Nominal group technique:

Each member shares their ideas. A recorder lists all the different ideas. Everyone then ranks their preferences individually from the whole list from 1-(up to) 10. These scores are added together and a group score is given. This gives priorities on a group basis. (If number 1 is used to rate an individual best choice, then the list item with the smallest group score is the most desired.)

Force-field analysis:

List forces "pushing for changing the situation" and "forces pushing against changing the situation". Outline the strategies to minimize the strength of the forces and develop an action plan to accomplish the solution.

Criteria Matrix:

Develop a set of standards that each alternative is judged on. Some examples are: costs, risks involved, timeliness, convenience or satisfaction. The matrix looks like a table with the alternatives down the left side and the criteria across the top. Each alternative is ranked by the criteria (1-5, yes or no, etc) and the scores are added up at the bottom.

Dotmocracy:

Provide each person with the same number of dot stickers or pennies or tokens. Vote individually on the list of brainstormed alternatives. If someone feels strongly about one item they are welcome to put all their dots on that item. The alternative with the greatest number of dots is the decision preference.

Bubble-up/Bubble-down:

Used for ranking statements or ideas or putting ideas in an orderly sequence. Read the first two statements, decide between the two which statement is least preferred and should be eliminated. Now compare the statement left to the next one on the list and continue to do this until you have reached the last item on your list and the group is satisfied. (for example: when purchasing a house; it is much easier to compare the house you're viewing with the last house you viewed. After evaluating how this one rates, you eliminate one of the two. The preference of the two is the only house used in future comparisons.)

Circle Chart:

Divide the paper into four quadrants and label each quadrant one of four titles: What is wrong?(in theory), What might be done? (in theory), What is wrong?(in the real world), and what might be done? (in the real world). This will initiate a brainstorming session to help develop a solution.

See Group Problem-solving on next page for more tips and techniques.