Decision making, whether individual or collective, appears to be something that we don’t ‘think about’ very often, and yet there is a pattern to it – a sequence of things which take place almost subconsciously (much like Kolb’s Learning Cycle).
The diagram below right illustrates the general flow.
Depending on the decision, we may cycle within it, skip steps entirely, or even repeat the process as a sub-process within itself.
If we use the steps well, we will usually make good decisions, and if we use them poorly, we will make bad ones. It is therefore vitally important for meeting effectiveness that we bear these steps in mind as we design our meetings.
The key steps illustrated are:- Collecting or recollecting – understanding the current situation in terms of the need, how it is currently fulfilled, and any other salient features of the situation
- Constructing possibilities – considering a range of alternative explanations or ideas – this is a creative step about opening up perspectives on what might be possible
- Critiquing what has emerged – sifting out the valuable possibilities from those that are flawed in some way
- Configuring a way forward – pulling the preferred ideas together into some sort of rationale, or strategy for moving forward – perhaps a critique, or a plan, or a solution
- Committing – making a decision to invest (sacrifice) what is needed to take things to the next step.
There are a number of meeting tools which can support these steps so that they are both participative and well supported. These can be found via the article on meeting tools selection.
Each of the tools can be used simplistically, or they can be enhanced by structuring them to bias them toward one or other process, or by predefining certain values or conditions in how they are set up (or both). To illustrate this for the most familiar item in the list, brainstorming:
- Simple brainstorming would be getting as many answers as possible to a question like: In how many ways could ‘we’ increase ‘the use of’ web-based meetings
- Structured brainstorming could break the phrase ‘the use of’ down into a number of similar questions such as: ‘people’s desire for’, ‘the availability of tools for’, ‘management support of’, etc.
- Conditioned brainstorming could use a stimulus to help people think of innovative links, such as by replacing ‘we’ with a phrase like: ‘ideas around nature’ or ‘light’ or ‘structures’ etc. TRIZ is an excellent tool to help identify what the most fruitful concepts are likely to be.
Access full library of tools and tips.
Get all the latest updates and ideas.
Your use of the Toolchest is subject to the following terms and conditions, and is subject to our privacy policy which can be reviewed here: https://meetings.toolchest.org/privacy-policy
■ We will not use your information for any other purpose than to keep you informed of developments in meeting effectiveness, and we will not share your information with others.
■ You are able to unsubscribe from this service at any time. Each email you receive from us will contain a link where you can reset your preferences for all future emails, or unsubscribe for the service entirely.
■ We will contact you on a minimum of a quarterly basis to ensure that our service is continuing to meet your needs, to give you a general update on key developments in our service, and to provide you with the option to change your contact preferences
■ We will hold your data on file to enable your access to the Information Service until such time as you unsubscribe from the service
■ If we hold your data outside of the information service as a result of you contacting us by email, we will hold your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy (https://meeting.toolchest.org/privacy-policy). We will delete such data, in situations where we are not legally required to retain it, on receipt of a verified request from you
■ All information provided by us is provided in good faith. All information submitted by you is to be provided in good faith.
■ In compliance with the GDPR 2018, you acknowledge that clicking the subscribe button grants us your consent to hold the data you have provided, and to contact you using that data, in the manner described above.
■ We will not use your information for any other purpose than to keep you informed of developments in meeting effectiveness, and we will not share your information with others.
■ You are able to unsubscribe from this service at any time. Each email you receive from us will contain a link where you can reset your preferences for all future emails, or unsubscribe for the service entirely.
■ We will contact you on a minimum of a quarterly basis to ensure that our service is continuing to meet your needs, to give you a general update on key developments in our service, and to provide you with the option to change your contact preferences
■ We will hold your data on file to enable your access to the Information Service until such time as you unsubscribe from the service
■ If we hold your data outside of the information service as a result of you contacting us by email, we will hold your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy (https://meeting.toolchest.org/privacy-policy). We will delete such data, in situations where we are not legally required to retain it, on receipt of a verified request from you
■ All information provided by us is provided in good faith. All information submitted by you is to be provided in good faith.
■ In compliance with the GDPR 2018, you acknowledge that clicking the subscribe button grants us your consent to hold the data you have provided, and to contact you using that data, in the manner described above.
Track your progress to ensure the efficacy of this strategy.