Before

Pre-Work Required: determine ahead of time how many dots are needed and bring 50% more.

Tips for online facilitation: Setup Mentimeter with the list of items for voting.

During

Process

1. Ask each person to select the top 3 ( of 8 to 12 items) items that meet the criteria you have decided on. They put the dots next to the items listed on the flip chart etc.

2. When everyone has placed their dots count up the totals and put the numbers next to the items.

3. It is at this point the discussion needs to begin. Take the top 3 or 4 and ask why someone voted on that one. Ask how many of the top ones need to be included in the priorities. Ask if there are any items missing that should be a priority.

The discussion at this point does two things. The group's consensus is built in this process. Often items that do not receive enough votes actually should be included in the priorities and this gives an opportunity for that to emerge.

Alternative One
1. Give each person a small number of sticky dots.
2. They walk up to the front and put on their priority item(s).
3. Can be used with colored dots: i.e.

red dot = one you're most passionate about.
yellow= easiest to dot.
green= costs least.
blue= most impact.

4. Reflect what the pattern tells you about the group's consensus

Alternative Two

1. Number items.
2. Using dots, "points", or show of hands, each person votes for at least 1/3 of the items on the list.
3. Tally votes.
4. Cross out items receiving the fewest number of votes.
5. Repeat until 7 or fewer items remain.
6. Discuss or use another method to pick one item.

Method for online facilitation:

Facilitator provides Mentimeter access code to all participants to use on their own device.
Facilitator displays list of items (multiple choices) for voting via Mentimeter.
Participants to vote within the given time.
Facilitator to show final ranking results.
Alternatively, Facilitator uses online whiteboard tool e.g. Mural that has voting function, for participants to freely move virtual dots to vote on items displayed. [Potential pitfall: participants may be influenced by choices made by others]

After

Follow-Up Required: Implementation plans need to be created.

Usual or Expected Outcomes: an agreed list of prioritized items to be further worked on

Potential pitfalls: It becomes a popularity contest and not a serious weighing of options

Making Decisions Workshop Activities

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