This is one of our favorite tools for helping groups narrow their options
from many (after brainstorming) to a few, or perhaps the favorite choice.
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Brainstorm: this is where ideas are generated. Follow
the rules of brainstorming, being especially careful not to debate
or discuss any idea.
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Clarify: members can ask questions to help them understand
any idea which is unclear. Again, be careful not to debate or discuss....just
ensure that everyone understands what the author of each item meant.
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Advocate: Any member can speak in favor of any idea.
Again, do not speak against any idea. If an idea is clearly not viable,
then perhaps nobody will advocate it, but don't waste time telling why
it won't work. Often, only one or two of the brainstormed ideas will
have advocates, because the best idea will already be evident!
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Survey: It's time to find out the members' preferences. (This
is not voting!) There are a number of ways to do this.
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If the list of ideas is long it needs to be narrowed down. Ask everyone
to think of their top 4 or 5 choices, and then raise their hands to indicate
them as the list is read. After the results are up and visible, go
down each idea and ask the group's permission to eliminate those with little
support.
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Once the list is fairly short (4 or fewer ideas), survey again using the
five
finger method. Read off each item and ask members to indicate
their degree of support (5,4,3,2,1). At this point, at least one
idea will likely be a clear choice. In the case of a clear choice
except for a "1" (unacceptable) indication, ask that person how the idea
might be changed to accommodate his/her needs.
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Once the group's best idea is evident, analyze the data with the group.
Who are the "cheerleaders" (fives) who can be counted on for leadership.
Who are the twos, who need public acknowledge of their agreement, but weak
or no support. A public acknowledgment now might mean less grumpy
behavior later.
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