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Decision-Making by Consent is a practice that is part of Sociocracy and Holacracy. It probably originated from roots in the Quaker tradition. The procedure described here works well in situations where a proposal has been established.
Another name for the practice is "Integrative Decision-Making" or IDM. Here is the procedure described by Brian Robertson of HolacracyOne. The goal of the process is to integrate all perspectives and find a non-objectionable Path Forward.
Integrative Decision-Making Process
(short-format, © 2007 HolacracyOne, LLC)
Following is the short-format integrative decision-making process, used when a circle member has both a tension to resolve and a specific proposal to offer as a possible solution:
Present Proposal:
The proposer states the tension to be resolved and a possible proposal for addressing it. Clarifying questions are allowed only to understand the proposal as stated; discussion and reactions are cut off immediately by the facilitator, even those veiled in question form.
Reaction Round:
The facilitator asks each person in turn to provide a quick gut reaction to the proposal. Discussion or responses of any sort are cut off by the facilitator.
Amend & Clarify:
The proposer has a chance to clarify any aspects of the proposal they feel may need clarifying after listening to the reactions, or to amend the proposal in minor ways based on the reactions (even if there were clear shortcomings pointed out, no amendments are needed at this stage and no major amendments should be attempted). Discussion is cut off by the facilitator.
Objection Round:
The facilitator asks each person in turn if they know of any objections that must be integrated into the proposal before the decision is made. An "objection" is a reason why the proposed policy or decision will immediately put the system outside of a paramount "limit of tolerance" of the system (thus, it is the circle's objections that are sought, not the individuals' personal objections). Objections are stated without discussion or questions; the facilitator lists all objections on the board, and prevents discussion of any kind at this stage. After the round is complete, the decision is considered made if no objections surfaced.
Integration:
If objections do surface, the facilitator facilitates a group discussion about the objection, with the goal of swiftly finding a way to integrate the core truth in the objection into an amended proposal that addresses both the objection and the original tension. As soon as is practical, the facilitator (or another circle member) states an amended version of the proposal, and the process goes back to the Objection Round.
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