Group Decision Making Framework | Tristan Holme
VBDM for Groups
Humans are complex beings, and things only get more complex when there are several of us trying to work together. That complexity can be harnessed to create magic, or it can be destructive.
In my experience of working with different types of groups, the factor that determines which direction things go in is the quality, clarity and robustness of the group’s decision-making process.
A collection of extraordinary individuals will not produce much of substance if they do not have a clear system for making decisions, and for communicating well.
Values-Based Decision-Making
Values-Based Decision-Making has emerged as one of the best tools for organising groups because it performs two critical functions:
1. Clarifying Shared Values
Articulating the values that are held in common allows everyone to be on the same page, moving forward towards the same objectives.
2. Decision-Making System
A decision-making framework cuts out distractions and unintended consequences, offers clarity on what to focus on next, and where to allocate resources.
Bonus - Guardrails for Tracking Progress
A spot checking system also helps the group to track its progress and see when it has veered away from its future vision, and a separate (optional) exercise allows it to catalogue the resources that sit within the collective. These include physical resources, financial resources and the various types of human resources.
My short pitch for VBDM is essentially this:
I can teach you how to use a tool that will empower you to make decisions that lead to the future you want.
This will build capacity in you to the point where you don’t need me, and while it will cost you x, it will save you the 100x (or perhaps more) that bad decisions would cost you, not to mention the potential cost if your project doesn’t work out and you have to dissolve it.
Having this tool in your group’s toolbox is like receiving a set of cross-country skis.
Once you have them, you are good to go.
Some of the benefits of using VBDM in groups are:
- Saving countless hours of group time and significant amounts of money as decision-making becomes more effective and efficient.
- Quickly knowing where and how to allocate resources.
- Overcoming the common experience in groups of having too many ideas and too little time.
- Allowing individual members to see where their values and needs are the same and where they are different, allowing simple and less personal decisions about who is a good fit for the group.
- Attracting future members who are aligned with what you want your collective to be.
- Being able to turn conflicts into a valuable resource.
The questions that groups might have are:
- How do we make decisions collectively without endless (sometimes acrimonious) meetings?
- Are we all here for the same reason?
- How do we overcome the conflicts in our group?
- Will my needs be met in this group?
- How do we adapt to changing needs/events/flow of life?
- Is this whole thing going to just fall apart (and what happens if it does)?
- How can we create agreements (legal or otherwise) that will support our work?
- How do we identify the right home, piece of land, or office space?
- How do we make better use of our existing resources?
- How do we avoid a ‘democratic’ power struggle within our decision-making framework?
- How can we effectively filter new members in a way that doesn't make things personal?
VBDM has been used equally effectively by families, businesses, NPOs, Trustee groups and other cooperative collectives.
If you feel that your group needs to get on the same page, and turn the complexity inherent in your situation into something positive, this is likely to be a beneficial tool for you.
For a more in-depth explanation of how VBDM works, and the benefits it offers to intentional communities, you can watch the presentation that I gave to the Foundation for Intentional Communities below.