Consensus Decision Making

Consensus can be a very powerful model of participatory decision making when it is considered to be a “win-win” process and held as integral to the purpose of the group. Although it is sometimes abandoned as being overly complex and time consuming, consensus decision making, in itself, opens the process to careful consideration, listening, and negotiation. In this context, decisions must be fully understood and agreed to by all members of the group, and the group holds the process of making a decision which is in the best interests of everyone.

What Happens When You Don’t Agree on a Decision-Making Process?

Sometimes a group will move forward on their path and begin making decisions before agreeing on how such decisions will be made. This may work –or appear to work – at the outset of a process, but some difficulties can occur.

Sam Kaner, Facilitators Guide to Participatory Decision-Making