Effective Decision-Making in Groups

Question 1

What are the 7 types of Decision-Making?

Answer 1

Authority without group discussion
Expert 
Averaging Opinions
Authority after group discussion
Majority
Minority
Consensus

Question 2

Management or authority figures decide for everyone else
Saves time, no discussion has to take place
People may not feel heard, will resent the decision because they don’t understand it
This form of decision-making works when the decision is small and does not impact the entire group, no commitment to implementation is required from the group

Answer 2

Decision by Authority Without Group Discussion

Question 3

The person with the highest level of expertise regarding the problem provides the solution based on their experience
Group members do not have to discuss every detail, best practices are often followed
Group members may feel left out, coerced, and do not learn from the expert

Answer 3

Decision by Expert

Question 4

One leader separately asks all members what they prefer, averaging the opinions personally, and applying their own solution based on the results
Group members may feel more comfortable providing opinions one on one, members are consulted
Group members don’t learn each other’s opinions or learn from them, no commitment to implementation
Group members won’t feel as empowered

Answer 4

Decision by Averaging Opinions

Question 5

Designated leader discusses decision to be made with group members, and decides on their own how to proceed
Group members are consulted and all hear each other’s opinions; less time consuming
No commitment to implementation, encourages group members to compete for resources rather than share them, tendency to tell leaders what they want to hear
Encourages competition among group members

Answer 5

Decision by Authority After Group Discussion

Question 6

Vote is taken; majority rules
Less time consuming, decision may not be important enough to spend time finding consensus
Leads to alienated minority, resentment, may damage future cohesion
Full commitment to implementation is not obtained (minority may abide by guideline but not be supportive)

Answer 6

Decision by Majority

Question 7

Vote is taken; minority rules
Avoids maintaining status quo or conflict-reducing procedures
Does not utilize all resources of the group, may create resentment as much as a decision by majority would
Commitment to implementation is not obtained
Not often used

Answer 7

Decision by Minority

Question 8

All group members discuss their opinions and unanimously agree on one strategy to achieve their goals
Extreme commitment to implementation, use all resources, produces high-quality decisions, increases cohesion and interdependence
Takes time/energy, could create conflict to be resolved

Answer 8

Decision by Consensus

Question 9

Steps to effective decision-making consensus

Answer 9

Seek out differences of opinion
Present your position clearly and logically
Critically analyze the other positions (actively listen and digest answers and then ask questions to clarify)
Encourage all group members to consider the best case possible for their position (individual vs. collective views, 1st contribute individually but then graduate up to think about what is beneficial for the big picture)
Change your mind when it is logical to do so
Avoid conflict reducing procedures (speak out different viewpoints)
The goal is to make the best possible decision for the group

Question 10

What factors affect group decision-making

Answer 10

lack of maturity, uncritically giving one’s dominant response, social loafing, free riding, motivation losses, groupthink, concurrence seeking, poor conflict management, egocentrism, lack of diversity, interference/production blocking, premature closure/dissonance reduction (deciding without viewing all possible solutions), lack of relevant skills, lack of resources, lack of incentives for and barriers to contributing