By Judith Stein A decision-making model describes the method a team will use to make decisions. The most important factor in successful decision-making is that every team member is clear about how a particular decision will be made. Who will be making the decision? How will team members be involved? By when? Knowing these things allows team members to be fully informed participants in discussions - "Will we be
giving input to the team leader so he can make the decision?" or "Will we need to discuss this topic and come to agreement during this meeting?" Knowing how a particular decision will be made can also help a team plan their meeting agendas more effectively and lead to more collaborative team process. Most importantly, understanding how decisions will be made helps to build support for the final decision and active commitment to that decision's implementation. Because
effective teams work towards the fullest participation of each member, teams often use some version of a consensus decision-making model. When used appropriately, this model of decision-making can maximize the quality of a team's decisions. (See more on consensus decisions below.) There are a number of possible models for decision-making; each of these models may be appropriate for
particular types of decisions. From least participatory to most, some examples of decision-making models include: Some teams might also use a "majority rules" voting method for some decisions. While this method is familiar to most of us, on important decisions it can leave some team members feeling like they have "lost." Majority vote can be an effective decision-making model for low-impact decisions, but it will be less effective in values-laden decisions or decisions where active buy-in
is crucial. At a minimum, it would be important to have thoughtful and inclusive discussion prior to any major "majority rules" decision-making. Now that we know that consensus decision-making is not necessarily unanimous support for a particular decision, it is important to define just what consensus decision-making is. Consensus is achieved when everyone on the team has had ample opportunity to have his or her ideas considered
and can fully support the team's decision. Consensus decisions mean that the entire team has come to agreement on a course of action, even if individuals might have a different preference. Consensus decisions often lead to completely new solutions that the team arrives at in the course of its discussion. In the course of the discussion leading to consensus, individual team members may change their ideas (based on new information or perspectives from their team) or they may decide to defer
their individual feelings or needs to those of the team. The key point is that this process is deliberate and fully voluntary on the part of the team member. Positive reasons why individuals modify their positions to support a team's decision include: Reaching consensus can take time, although consensus-based decision-making gets easier with practice. Teams using a consensus-based decision-making model will need to develop good meeting practices to make sure that every individual has an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process. The ability to define
the decision topic clearly, and the ability to build agreements and sensitivity to the team's process will all help successful decision-making by consensus. It is important that the team pay attention to group process so that no team member changes his or her mind because they fear repercussions for disagreement, or they are somehow "bullied" by the team (through hostile remarks or "friendly teasing") into changing their views. Team members can check for consensus by seeing if each member of the team can agree to the following four statements:
In good consensus decision-making, every member of the team must feel that they have been listened to and that their ideas have been given a fair assessment. This article is adapted, in part, from materials from Interaction Associates, LLC, Mastering Meetings. Top Audio version of "Group decision making" tip sheet (MP3) Because the performance of a group involves taking into account the needs and opinions of every group member, being able to come to an equitable decision as efficiently as possible is important for the functioning of the group. There are a variety of ways to make decisions as a group; the seven-step decision-making model presented below offers an effective structure for choosing an appropriate course of action for a particular task or project. It can also be an effective method for dealing with a problem or interpersonal conflict that arises within the group.
Decision-making methodsIn order to make the jump from brainstorming potential solutions for solving a problem to evaluating and selecting the best solution, group members need to make decisions. There are several possible methods of decision making that a group can use. A few of them are briefly described below, with advantages on the left and disadvantages on the right for each one: Decision by authorityThe group generates ideas and holds open discussions, but the final decision is made by one person.
Decision by majorityThe group holds a vote on a particular issue following a period of discussion. The majority wins.
Decision by negative minorityThe group holds a vote for the most unpopular idea and eliminates it. They repeat this process until only one idea is left.
Decision by rankingGroup members individually write down the 5 (or fewer) ideas they like best, then rank each idea from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. The votes are recorded on the board and totalled. The idea with the highest total is selected.
Decision by unanimityAll group members must agree that the decision is the best one.
Decision by consensusThe decision is discussed and negotiated until everyone affected by it understands and agrees with what will be done. Consensus in decision making means that all members genuinely agree that the decision is acceptable. After a group has identified a decision to be made, each member is asked how he/she feels about the proposed decision by selecting one of the following responses:
If all the responses from the group members are 1, 2, 3, or 4, you have a consensus and are ready to move on.
Combining ideasInstead of dropping one idea in favor of another, the group searches for possibilities of implementing both or combining them into one solution.
Example:
Resources
What is associated with participative decision making?Participative decision making (PDM) is the opportunity for an employee to provide input into the decision-making process related to work matters (i.e., work organization, task priority) or organizational issues, for example, when they have a say on promoting new strategy ideas.
Which of the following is an assumption of the rational model of decisionWhich of the following is an assumption underpinning the rational choice model of decision making? The decision maker is able to identify all the possible alternative solutions to a problem.
Which of the following is an assumption of the bounded rationality model quizlet?The bounded rationality model assumes that managers: select the alternative that is completely rational. always select the best possible alternative. recognize that their conception of the world is complex.
What does the decision maker strive to do in the rational model quizlet?The rational model is based on the premises that managers do this when they make decisions--this involves solving problems by producing the best possible solution.
|