Whether it’s done consciously or not, problem solvers and their teams are responsible for the outcomes of a lot of important decisions. Taking no action at all is effectively a decision. And decisions were not created equally! Tune in to this comprehensive webinar to make sure you’re using the right method at the right time for the best decision.

1. 3 Ways Groups Make Better
Decisions Together
Presented by Elisabeth Swan
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2. About Our Presenter
• Managing Partner at
GoLeanSixSigma.com
• Co-Author of
The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit
• Co-host of the
Just-In-Time Café Podcast
Elisabeth Swan
/ElisabethSwan
@ConsultSwan
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3. How to Interact
Answer Polls! Ask a Question!
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4. Where Are You From?
Share your location in the Question area in your
Control Panel!
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5. Who Is GoLeanSixSigma.com?
• GoLeanSixSigma.com makes it easy for everyone
everywhere to build their problem-solving muscles
• We provide the most practical, easy to understand
and enjoyable Lean and Six Sigma resources
available
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6. We’ve Helped People From…
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7. Objectives
After attending this webinar you’ll be able to:
• Use multiple decision-making methods
• Select the right method for each occasion
• Use tools to support decision making
• Make better decisions faster
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8. Today’s Agenda
• The Decision-Making Process
• The Different Decision-Making Methods
• The Decision-Making Trade-Offs
• The Tips and Tricks of Decision Making
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9. Consensus – Highest Form
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I always use
consensus. Why would
you ever use an inferior
form of decision
making?

10. Consensus?
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Should we
try putting the fire
out first or prepare for
emergency landing?
Let’s get a
consensus from
the passengers.

11. What Is Good Decision Making?
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12. Poll #1
Question: What issue do you experience the
most with decision making?
A. Stakeholders reject team decisions
B. It takes too long to come to agreement
C. We don’t have the expertise to make the best
decisions
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13. Three Factors to Consider
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Time Expertise Buy-in

14. Decision Making Process
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Define the Decisions
Assess Constraints
Select a Method
Make the Decision
• Define exactly what is to be decided
• Do not assume everyone has the same
understanding
• Consider the time available
• Assess buy-in and expertise required
• Determine whether group or individual
• Consider people to involve
• Make the decision
• Identify specific actions steps and set a
deadline

15. Methods of Decision Making
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Unilateral
One person
makes the
decision
Consultative
One person
makes the
decision after
considering
input from
others
Group
A collection of
people make
the decision
Multiple Group
Methods

16. Types of Group Decisions
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Majority Rule
Traditional
voting style
Unanimous
All members
are in 100%
agreement
Consensus
All members
are willing to
actively
support the
decision
• Pros: Voting is quick
• Cons: Results in winners
and losers
• Pros: Useful when total
agreement is critical –
as with a jury
• Cons: Can result in
“hung jury” or stalemate
• Pros: Results in a
decision everyone can
live with
• Cons: Takes a long time

17. Consensus Guidelines
• Examine the facts
• Encourage all views
• Beware powerful minority
• Prevent steamrolling
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Can you
live with it?

18. Death by Discussion
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What’s the
decision?
We’ve been
talking for
hours…
…in circles… Or spirals?

19. Visual Team Consensus Method
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You’ve got
five minutes to
change your
mind!
No, it’s
“fist-TO-five” not
“fist-IN-five”!

20. Fist-To-Five Decision Making
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FIST
---
No vote – a way
to block
consensus.
Need to talk
more on this
proposal and
require changes
for it to pass
1 FINGER
---
Still need to
discuss certain
issues and
suggest
changes
2 FINGERS
---
More
comfortable
with the proposal
but would like
to discuss
minor
issues
3 FINGERS
---
Not in total
agreement but
“can
live with it”
and support
the idea
4 FINGERS
---
It’s a good idea
or decision –
will work
for it
5 FINGERS
---
It’s a great
idea – will be
one of the
implementation
leaders

21. Which Method?
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The best
software to buy
What to order
for a group
dinner
How to
respond to an
angry customer
UNILATERAL CONSULTATIVE MAJORITY RULES CONSENSUS
How to fill out a
Project Charter

22. RACI
Matrix
Impact
Effort Matrix
____
___
____
_____
____
Multi-Voting
n/3
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0
-
+
0
Decision Making: Support Tools

23. RACI Matrix
RACI Matrix: Indicates who is Responsible,
Accountable, Consulted and Informed regarding each
decision
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24. The RACI Matrix
Responsible: “Decision Makers” (“Doers” of the work)
• Make decisions/Complete activities
• Can be many
Accountable: “Owner” of the decision (work)
• “Buck stops here!”
• Only one “A” (can be “R” too)
Consulted” Provides input up front
• Participants
Informed: Updated after the fact
• Passive
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25. RACI Matrix Example
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26. Poll #2
Question: Which method do you use the
most?
• A. Unilateral
• B. Consultative
• C. Majority Rule
• D. Unanimous
• E. Consensus
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27. Multi-Voting – N/3
• Tally the number of
options
• Divide by 3
• Hand-out sticky dots –
or use markers
• Reduce list size
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Design new form
Upgrade printer
Remove add-on option
Turn into Smart-form
No approvals
Use sign-in sheet
Remove questions
Buy new scanners
Use carbon paper

28. 28
0
-
+
0
Impact Effort Matrix

29. Impact Effort Matrix Structure
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Potential
Options
Low
Priority
Options
Best
Options!
Potential
Options
High
Medium
Low
Hard Medium Easy
IMPACT
EFFORT

30. Potential
Options
Low
Priority
Options
Best
Options!
Potential
Options
> $100K
$50K
< $10K
> 2 FTE* 1 FTE > 1 FTE
IMPACT
EFFORT (Resources)
*FTE = Full Time Resources 30
Impact Effort Matrix Scales

31. 31
Impact Effort Matrix: Example

32. Decision-Making Challenges
• Time
• Buy-in
• Agreement
• Experts
• Constraints
• Acceptance
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My challenge
is figuring out whether
someone is agreeing
with me or waving
good-bye.

33. Decision-Making Tips
• Don’t assume consensus
• Time, Expertise & Buy-in
• Use supporting tools
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34. Supporting Templates
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35. Today We Covered
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• The Decision-Making Process
• The Different Decision-Making Methods
• The Decision-Making Trade-Offs
• The Tips and Tricks of Decision Making

36. Questions?
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37. Getting Started
Learn more by starting some more training!
• White Belt Training & Certification (Training is FREE)
• Yellow Belt Training & Certification (Training is FREE)
• Green Belt Training & Certification
• Black Belt Training & Certification
• Lean Training & Certification
Coupon Code: 20DECIDE
20% discount on all courses!
*Expires October 11
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38. eBook: The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit
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• Kindle version available
on Amazon
• The Problem-Solver’s
Toolkit

39. Upcoming Webinar: Oct. 25, 11am PDT
Register today at GoLeanSixSigma.com/webinars
We’ll select upcoming webinars based on your
feedback, so please share your feedback on the survey
at the end of close of this webinar.
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40. Just-In-Time Café Podcast
Tune in at GoLeanSixSigma.com/cafe for the latest
Lean Six Sigma news, easy ways to apply
Lean Six Sigma and interviews with process
improvement leaders like you!
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41. Success Story Webinar
Check out more success stories from Go-Getters just
like you at GoLeanSixSigma.com/Success
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42. Wonder Women of Quality
Join us each month as we highlight another unsung
hero of Quality!
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43. Questions?
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44. Thank You for Joining Us!
More questions? Ask us at
contact@goleansixsigma.com
Click here to download free tools,
templates, infographics and more!
@GoLeanSixSigma/company/GoLeanSixSigma-com /GoLeanSixSigma 44