Formal Consensus is a way to make sure everyone has an equal say in decision-making. We use it any time someone requests it or we move from one phase of work to another.

What do we need?

  • Time
  • Gathering Space
  • A way to take and share notes with the group
  • A proposal

Who do we need?

  • Facilitator – The Facilitator helps the group follow the steps in order.
  • Recorder – The Recorder takes notes and shares them, as needed.
  • Participants – The Participants make the decision.
  • Advocate – The Advocate proposes an action that the group needs to decide on.

How do we do it?

  1. The Advocate proposes an action that the group needs to decide on.
  2. The Participants ask questions so they can understand the proposal. They do not make any changes to the proposal.
  3. The Facilitator confirms that all Participants understand the proposal.
  4. The Facilitator asks each Participant for their position on the proposal. Possible positions include:
    • Agree – “I support the proposal and will help put it in place.”
    • Reservations – “I have some concerns with the proposal, but will help put it in place if that’s what the group decides.”
    • Stand Aside – “I will not take part in putting the proposal in place.”
    • Block – “I disagree with the proposal and the group cannot put it in place.”
  5. If all Participants agree:
    1. The Participants make a plan to put the proposal in place and carry it out.
  6. If any Participant doesn’t agree:
    1. The Facilitator starts a 1-2-4-All conversation. The question is – “What would good look like for the situation the proposal addresses?”
    2. Any member can make a new or revised proposal. This starts the process over.
    3. If the Participants agree on “good,” the Facilitator starts another 1-2-4-All conversation. The question is the next question in Catalytic Thinking. The Facilitator repeats this step until a Participant makes a new proposal or the Participants no longer agree.
    4. If Participants don’t agree on “good,” the Facilitator starts another 1-2-4-All conversation. The question is “What would good look like for the phase of work before this one?” The Facilitator repeats this step until Participants agree.
  7. The Recorder shares the result of the decision.

Learn more

Seeds for Change – “Consensus Decision Making”
The Decider – “Consensus Decision Making”

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