The question
As the input for an intensive process, it is important to form questions as best possible. questions should be clear & open and made with self-awareness & research. More on forming questions in Question forming guidance.
Participation self-selection
Contributors decide for themselves if and how they will take part in a systemic consensus: We don't restrict access to decisions, but value the self-determination of contributors by trusting them to self-select their level of participation in the systemic consensus cycle.
In order to figure out how you should participate in a systemic consensus, ask yourself the following;
- Do I feel that the outcome will affect me?
- Do I feel that I will be accountable for the outcome of the decision?
- Do I feel that I will be part of doing the outcome of the decision?
If you answer 'yes!' to...
- none, feel free to witness the process silently or to spend your time somewhere else.
- one, give your needs, wants and values and also your proposals in the consensus cycle.
- two or all, participate in the whole consensus cycle with voting.
The systemic consensus process
Express needs, wants and values
Individuals express their feelings towards the question.
This provides a safe space for personal, emotional expression and a connection between participants: This is important because the rest of the process is emotionally quite 'cold' and deliberately avoids discussion.
'Needs, wants and values' reflect how people feel about the question with proposals being withheld for the next stage in the process
Form proposals
Individuals form proposals to answer the question.
All proposals are included in the ballot, though considering the needs, wants and values of the group and the Proposal forming guidance will help form proposals that are less likely to meet resistance.
In addition to proposals from individuals, two control proposals are always included;
- Zero option: We keep everything as it is and change nothing. This should include a description of 'how everything currently is' before the vote begins.
- Further solutions: We look for other solutions. The cycle restarts on the same question: participants express NWVs, form proposals then vote again.
Vote
Individuals vote against each proposal with a resistance rating.
The vote is a multi-choice, resistance rating: voters rate each proposal with how much they resist that option being selected. The scale starts at zero which expresses the absence of resistance, the maximum value of the scale expresses maximum resistance.
The proposal with the lowest net resistance is selected.
- If 'Further solutions' is selected, the cycle restarts, otherwise the cycle stops.
- If the 'Zero option' is selected, then no action is taken.
If two proposals have equally low resistance, just those two proposals are immediately re-voted on.
The decision
Coming to decision is hopefully a celebration: good decisions feel good.
Looking at the % maximum resistance of the selected proposal can give an indication of how happy people are with the outcome;
- < 10 % maximum resistance: Very low resistance, wide acceptance.
- 10 % - 25 % maximum resistance: Fair resistance, worth considering reevaluation.
- > 25 % maximum resistance: Considerable resistance, schedule reevaluation.