Tips on aligning a group around good decisions

Don't forget reality! Sometimes groups get stuck in searching for the best of all possible outcomes. They start judging proposals against their ideal world, rather than the reality of what will likely occur or not occur in the future, with or without this group's influence. Part of moving a group to closure is developing a collective understanding of how does a particular project, strategy, decision compare to what will or will not happen without it? In other words, throughout the process (except during brainstorming) help your group keep an eye on the reality of the options and alternatives to their decisions.

1. Develop a process for moving through the sticking points

• Take a time out
• Ask the hold outs to "stand aside"
• Bring closure to the agreement and append a dissenting opinion on parts or all of it
• Vote as a last resort
• Send the decision to an external decision maker

2. Handle last minute disagreements carefully so you do not alienate members of the group and make future decision making more difficult.

• Avoid "thin ice" agreements
• Remember to treat dissenting participants with respect and their concerns as important
• Be aware of excessive group pressure to agree
• Facilitators role as guardian of the process
• Define a limited period of time to keep searching for join gains. If necessary and where possible, trade across issues and link issues.
• If one person's interests are not met, ask that person to propose an alternative that meets his interest and makes the others no worse off
• If participants have different views of what is likely to happen in the future, develop contingent agreements or propose a first-round agreement and a time table for following up when more information is available

3. Develop a draft of the written agreement, even before the details are worked out. Continually improve this one draft until it is approved by the group.

• "Agreement on principle" with just the high-level points can help a group coalesce around a set of activities/projects
• Facilitates communication with the broader public about the outcomes of the collaborative process
• Helps create a mechanism for maintaining accountability and tracking progress
• Assists agencies in budgetary planning
• Key elements of an agreement should include:
  • A process for monitoring progress
  • A plan for keeping the broader public informed about the plan's implementation
  • A process for handling disputes that arise during implementation
  • Contingencies
    • Financial resources
    • Personnel, etc.

Stages of the Collaborative Process

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