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Small Group Communication (Specific Decision Making Techniques (Majority…

- - - - Define the problem by considering the three elements shared by every problem: the current undesirable situation, the goal or more desirable situation, and obstacles in the way
      - At this stage, group members share what they know about the current situation, without proposing solutions or evaluating the information
      - At the end of this stage, the group should be able to compose a single sentence that summarizes the problem called a problem statement
      - Questions to ask at this stage
        
        What is the current difficulty?
        
        How did we come to know that the difficulty exists?
        
        Who/what is involved?
        
        Why is it meaningful/urgent/important?
        
        What have the effects been so far?
        
        What, if any, elements of the difficulty require clarification?
    - - During this step a group should analyze the problem and the group's relationship to the problem
      - At this stage, group members can discuss the potential causes of the difficulty
      - To fully analyze the problem, the group can discuss the five common problem variables discussed before
      - The problem question is more complex than the problem statement, since the group has moved on to more in-depth discussion of the problem during step 2
    - - During this step, group members generate possible solutions to the problem
      - The question should be what could we do to address this problem, not what should we do to address it
      - Discussions at this stage may reveal a need to return to previous steps to better define or more fully analyze a problem
      - Since many problems are multifaceted, it is necessary for group members to generate solutions for each part of the problem separately, making sure to have multiple solutions for each part
    - - During this step, solutions can be critically evaluated based on their credibility, completeness, and worth
      - Once the potential solutions have been narrowed based on more obvious differences in relevance and/or merit, the group should analyze each solution based on its potential effects, especially negative effects
      - Solutions can be evaluated based on how well they fit with the group's charge and the abilities of the group
      - Secondary tensions and substantive conflict emerge during this step of problem solving, and group members will need to employ effective critical thinking and listening skills
      - Once the final decision is reached, the group leader or facilitator should confirm that the group in in agreement
    - - Implementing the solution requires some advanced planning, and it should not be rushed unless the group is operating under strict time restrains or delay may lead to some kind of harm
      - Since solution assessment will vary based on whether or not the group is disbanded, groups should also consider the following questions: If the group disbands after implementation, who will be responsible for assessing the solution?
      - Certain elements of the solution may need to be delegated out to various people inside and outside the group
      - Group members may also be assigned to implement a particular part of the solution based on their role in the decision making or because it connects to their area of expertise
- - - - Evaluation of ideas is forbidden
      - Wild and crazy ideas are encouraged
      - Quantity of ideas, not quality, is the goal
      - New combinations of ideas presented are encouraged
    - - Do a warm up brainstorming session
      - Do the actual brainstorming session
      - Eliminate duplicate ideas
      - Clarify, organize, and evaluate ideas
  - - - Silently and individually list ideas
      - Create a master list of ideas
      - Clarify ideas as needed
      - Take a secret vote to rank group members' acceptance of ideas