Group decision making, also referred to as collective or collective decision-making, is a participatory process in which individuals participate jointly in the decision-making process. They analyze problems or situations, consider alternatives and choose a solution together. It differs per form of decision-making who is responsible for the decisions.
Group decision making, also referred to as collective or collective decision-making, is a participatory process in which individuals participate jointly in the decision-making process. They analyze problems or situations, consider alternatives and choose a solution together. It differs per form of decision-making who is responsible for the decisions.
In group decision-making, the decision can therefore no longer be attributed to one person. This makes sense, because all individuals and group processes such as social influences can contribute to the result. The decisions made by a group as a whole often differ from individualistic decisions.
In business, collaborative decision-making is one of the most effective ways to achieve consensus and increase creativity. Although it’s a matter of debate, decisions made collectively are often more effective than decisions made by a single person. Certain collaborative efforts have the potential to achieve better results than individuals would on their own. Under normal circumstances, group decision-making is preferred. Group decision-making could also lead to better results in business. However, there must be time for reflection, discussion and conversations.
Managers and team leaders typically have the final say in important decisions regarding projects or undertakings. However, there will also be many occasions when the team must choose the best course of action.
It can be challenging to navigate this. Uniting different personalities and opinions in a decision-making process can be supported by the use of different techniques or working methods.
The most famous method is the Delphi Technique. A comparable method is the nominal group technique. There are also variations in the way in which the decision-making process is shaped. Brainstorming is a well-known and effective method of getting multiple individuals to think about a problem or issue. A more closed way of collective decision-making is the use of a voting system. Conducting a cost-benefit analysis is also a supporting activity for the decision-making process.
Group decision-making has a number of advantages over individual decision-making:
What are the most effective and well-known methods and models? How can I apply the theory of decision making in my work environment? Is it possible to switch from an individualistic way of decision-making to a collective decision-making structure? How do group dynamics relate to the effectiveness of this type of decision-making?
