Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making
The CODM Model for Facilitating Groups to Widespread Agreement
By: Tim Hartnett, Ph.D.
Published: April 26, 2011
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
ISBN-10: 0865716897
ISBN-13: 978-0865716896
Publisher: New Society Publishers
"Consensus-Oriented-Decision-Making (CODM) is a powerful group decision-making process. It can be applied to virtually any typ of decision in almost any type of group. Whatever the content of the decision a group is addressing, CODM can be used as the process for making that decision", writes group facilitator and mediator Tim Hartnett, Ph.D., in his very intelligent and highly accessible book Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making: The CODM Model for Facilitating Groups to Widespread Agreement. The author describes the principles behind the Consensus-Oriented-Decision-Making (CODM) technique, and demonstrates how to implement the concepts effectively and seamlessly into any decision making process.
Tim Hartnett understands the critical connection between the importance of decision making and its process for any size or type of group, and the effect of the resulting decisions on the ultimate effectiveness of that group. With that crucial concern in mind, the author offers the workable and very efficient CODM model as a repeatable step based road map to achieving effective and widely accepted decisions. The system combines inclusion of the maximum number or participants with the seemingly contradictory concept of maximum efficiency. CODM is based on the premise that a large group of people, acting in a collaborative manner, can discover and implement superior ideas and decisions to any individual acting alone. With the largest number of people involved in a democratic decision making process, the level of overall commitment to the final solution is greater, and the chances of success are increased dramatically as a result.
Tim Hartnett, Ph.D. (photo left) presents a comprehensive group decision making process, developed through years of personal and professional experience, in group facilitation. The concept also employs methods gleaned from mediation and inter-personal communication. The result of this multi-disciplinary approach to group dynamics is a stronger and more collaborative group able to reach consensus for stronger and more effective decision outcomes. The methodology facilitates agreement whether decisions require unanimous consent, a voting procedure, or an executive made final selection. The collaborative approach presented with CODM involves:
* Rich insights into group dynamics and how they work
* Conflict resolution that is both effective and respectful
* Communication skills involving listening and sharing ideas
For me, the power of the book is how Tim Hartnett combines a strong theoretical background for Consensus-Oriented-Decision-Making (CODM) with a powerful step by step process for implementing the concept for any type of group. The author presents a repeatable system that will help any family, business, non-profit, community, or governmental group achieve decisions that are not only widely accepted but include input from the maximum number of people.
Tim Hartnett's commitment to a process that is collaborative and democratic is not only admirable, but is also very effective and results oriented. The author puts in place rules for reducing internal conflict, for reaching the final decision, and for getting full agreement and closure on the issue. Tim Hartnett understands group dynamics, and incorporates that critical element, along with conflict resolution techniques, and communication. into enriching the process.
I highly recommend the democracy supporting and group cohesion strengthening book Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making: The CODM Model for Facilitating Groups to Widespread Agreement, by Tim Hartnett, Ph.D., to anyone in any size or type of organization seeking a more effective, collaborative, and inclusive method of achieving more effective decisions. The author offers a practical guide, filled with hands on examples and a step by step plan, to reaching collaborative outcomes for any group.
Read the engagingly written and well structured book Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making: The CODM Model for Facilitating Groups to Widespread Agreement, by Tim Hartnett, Ph.D., and discover how to transform your current organizational or group decision making process into one that is inclusive, collaborative, democratic, and effective. This book is the key to efficient and widely embraced decisions that achieve successful implementation and results.
