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Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making
The Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision Making provides the tools to put our democratic values into practice in groups and organizations. It is a fabulous how-to manual designed to help groups increase participation and collaboration, honor diversity, and make effective, participatory decisions.
Loaded with graphics, guidelines and hand outs, The Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision Making covers the mechanics of group decision making, closure, building realistic agendas, surviving the groan zone, finding win-win solutions, and more! It features an exciting new model of participatory decision-making that will help group members learn to make effective, timely decisions that each member understands. It is perfect for managers wanting a more inclusive decision-making structure, for participants struggling to overcome poor group dynamics, for seasoned practitioners wanting to improve their skills at helping groups decide, and for students of working group dynamics.
The authors all work with Community at Work which specializes in the dynamics of participatory groups. They are based in San Francisco, CA.
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 11, 2014
When the book arrived I thought “Geez it’s another big one!” Although there’s a part of me that hopes that it is chock full of insights and life-changing practices, experience tells me that most of the time it’s because the authors are entrenched in heavy (often self-aggrandising) language.
I have an incredibly large pile of books to read for work and so I also appreciate the books that give me new ways of thinking in a quick and concise manner (a bonus if they are entertaining too!)
When I opened this book I discovered that there was hardly any words – huge diagrams and large type – and the concepts were simple.
One of the main concepts is the “Diamond of Participatory Decision-Making”, of which one of the main take-away messages is to manage the expectations of the group and guide the participants, especially through the difficult periods of the process.
The book starts out very simply, to the point that one is left wondering if it’s going to add much value (because of its large text format, one gets through many pages very quickly and there’s a sense of “but it hasn’t offered any “meat” yet despite the quantity of paper used”.
But then the Facilitator Fundamentals section offers a structured checklist of points that a facilitator should cover. I was already familiar with all of the techniques mentioned and do implement most of them when running group sessions but it is nevertheless good a) to be reminded b) to be prompted to think about how to improve in each of the areas. And from then on, the book has a number of real-life trouble-shooting pointers. There is a section covering 30 of the universal problems faced by facilitator, from logistics of lunches to temperamental participants.
However, it is important to note that none of these techniques work very well if the participants do not have trust in the post-meeting actions and processes. Having attended these facilitated group-decision-making sessions as a participant, I was disengaged when I knew that nothing of consequence would come of it and that this was just an “internal PR” exercise by senior management. So it is important as a facilitator to iron out these points with the organisers prior to the sessions.
If you are new to facilitating meetings, especially if it's just part of your job rather than facilitation/training being your profession, then I would say this is at least a four-star book and I would recommend it as a useful guide. Following the guidelines would put you way ahead of the many terrible meetings I've attended when I was working for both public and private sector organisations.
I have an incredibly large pile of books to read for work and so I also appreciate the books that give me new ways of thinking in a quick and concise manner (a bonus if they are entertaining too!)
When I opened this book I discovered that there was hardly any words – huge diagrams and large type – and the concepts were simple.
One of the main concepts is the “Diamond of Participatory Decision-Making”, of which one of the main take-away messages is to manage the expectations of the group and guide the participants, especially through the difficult periods of the process.
The book starts out very simply, to the point that one is left wondering if it’s going to add much value (because of its large text format, one gets through many pages very quickly and there’s a sense of “but it hasn’t offered any “meat” yet despite the quantity of paper used”.
But then the Facilitator Fundamentals section offers a structured checklist of points that a facilitator should cover. I was already familiar with all of the techniques mentioned and do implement most of them when running group sessions but it is nevertheless good a) to be reminded b) to be prompted to think about how to improve in each of the areas. And from then on, the book has a number of real-life trouble-shooting pointers. There is a section covering 30 of the universal problems faced by facilitator, from logistics of lunches to temperamental participants.
However, it is important to note that none of these techniques work very well if the participants do not have trust in the post-meeting actions and processes. Having attended these facilitated group-decision-making sessions as a participant, I was disengaged when I knew that nothing of consequence would come of it and that this was just an “internal PR” exercise by senior management. So it is important as a facilitator to iron out these points with the organisers prior to the sessions.
If you are new to facilitating meetings, especially if it's just part of your job rather than facilitation/training being your profession, then I would say this is at least a four-star book and I would recommend it as a useful guide. Following the guidelines would put you way ahead of the many terrible meetings I've attended when I was working for both public and private sector organisations.
January 7, 2020
Game-changing book for anyone who facilitates groups towards solutions for complex problems. Especially in situations, where you don't have unity of command, but must rely on unity of effort and cross-group collaboration. The authors main experience seeems to be in facilitating for the public sector, but the concepts map very well to many different situations I have been in when facilitating problem solving for software, organisational design, strategy, sometimes even family issues.
The main insight of the book is that it is nearly impossible to get to sustainable agreements without entering what the author calls the mentaly tiring "groan zone" and stay there until the group gets from "conflicting frames of reference" to "a shared framework of understanding". First then, the group is ready to enter into the convergent zone and finally arrive at a decision point.
The book has many tips and tricks on building good agendas, switching formats, building constructive frames, declaring decision rules, and much more.
It goes very well with "Moments of Impact".
The main insight of the book is that it is nearly impossible to get to sustainable agreements without entering what the author calls the mentaly tiring "groan zone" and stay there until the group gets from "conflicting frames of reference" to "a shared framework of understanding". First then, the group is ready to enter into the convergent zone and finally arrive at a decision point.
The book has many tips and tricks on building good agendas, switching formats, building constructive frames, declaring decision rules, and much more.
It goes very well with "Moments of Impact".
March 9, 2020
Great workbook for anyone who needs to facilitate groups.
October 8, 2016
It is the first book on facilitation I've read. And it looks like a right place to start. First, it's very comprehensive with lots of tools, processes, cases, but even more important for me is the belief that groups can make participatory and sustainable decisions that underpins all the the technical stuff.
For me, it will take time to digest everything that this book has to offer, and I'm sure I will use it a lot as a reference in the future.
So highly recommended to those who conducts meeting and who want to have engaged team discussions!
For me, it will take time to digest everything that this book has to offer, and I'm sure I will use it a lot as a reference in the future.
So highly recommended to those who conducts meeting and who want to have engaged team discussions!
October 19, 2013
A really well thought out book that covers the basics of facilitating group discussions/meetings. I apprecaite how it breaks down concepts that if you've been facilitating groups, gives name to different strategies. Can't speak to what it is like as a resource to help you get started (esp since group facilitation is about practice, which is hard to cover in a book). Helpful place to start for conveying skills/concepts to groups of new facilitators, and then to add my own ideas.
August 20, 2021
I really liked the Introduction and Part 1 because it shows that is very easy to be trapped by two extremes:
- Getting into a solution too soon that you have no opportunity to understand the problem broadly and deeply enough.
- Getting into a solution too late with infinity discussions
Those sections are very clear on how facilitation skill is important to solve complex problems because it is not "natural" to escape from those extremes. We need some effort and technique.
I recommend this part for everyone that wants to better understand why some meetings are not productive. Even without giving many concrete tools and techniques, it helps a lot.
The other contents are like a guide that says what to do in different situations. This part is a little boring and repetitive (because some tools and techniques can be used in different situations). I recommend reading that part just to know it exists for future review when needed.
- Getting into a solution too soon that you have no opportunity to understand the problem broadly and deeply enough.
- Getting into a solution too late with infinity discussions
Those sections are very clear on how facilitation skill is important to solve complex problems because it is not "natural" to escape from those extremes. We need some effort and technique.
I recommend this part for everyone that wants to better understand why some meetings are not productive. Even without giving many concrete tools and techniques, it helps a lot.
The other contents are like a guide that says what to do in different situations. This part is a little boring and repetitive (because some tools and techniques can be used in different situations). I recommend reading that part just to know it exists for future review when needed.
November 21, 2023
Toto je must read pre kazdeho, kto chce mat ozaj dobre stretnutia (v praci).
September 3, 2016
Easy to read and structurated in the best way. Great companion book!
October 24, 2021
Great resource for facilitating participatory democracy discussions. Simple and to the point with great use of diagrams
February 9, 2025
Exactly what it promises—400 big pages on consensus and facilitation. Surprisingly useful book on getting engagement and buy-in with groups, if you can lift it.
March 26, 2021
A great collection of methods for improving dialog across diversity of conflicting issues. Like a textbook it unravels the major topics in this field. The text provides a deeper dive into practices needed to facilitate healthier outcomes. It combined with Thrive are very helpful for gaining the insights to better support your team as a mid level management. A great narrative to develop your practice to have the grit to support others on their own journey.
December 17, 2010
You know how sometimes meetings are awesome and sometimes meeting suck? Usually we blame it on the people who happened to be at the meeting, "Gee, that guy was disruptive or dominating," or "Everybody seemed scattered and disorganized." However, it is seldom recognized that the facilitator of a meeting makes the difference between successful and sucktastic. For those of us who lead meetings often or occasionally, this book comes to the rescue!
The Facilitators Guide to Participatory Decision Making is a highly-accessible and concise manual to running successful meetings that feel good. As a member of numerous consensus-based collectives, I quickly saw how our meetings and decision-making could be vastly improved by reading this book.
The Facilitators Guide was passed to me by Nancy, one of the best facilitators I've ever met. Years ago, we were attempting to create a new mission statement for a non-profit public radio station with people who could barely stand to be in the same room with each other. There were board members who were marked by their passivity and others who usually got what they wanted through proactive Machiavellian maneuvering.
It was an impressive group and an impressive task to bring together these divergent points-of-view to create a unified mission. The facilitator left everyone feeling heard, acknowledged, considered, and involved, and in the end we did several days of work together that felt like a successful and productive use of our time. Surprisingly we even felt great about working with each other. Years later I found myself, as an amateur facilitator offering to lead another non-profit in creating a mission statement. I called Nancy for help and she passed me this book.
As I read this book, my friends rapidly became tired my enthusiastic interruptions. I had so many Ah-Ha! moments I could see my friends tensing up every time I gasped. It felt like someone had passed me the hitherto unpublished operations manual on human group relations.
The book offers basic principles, such as an understanding of the dynamics of group decision-making, participatory values, and the role of a facilitator. It talks about facilitator basics like listening, open discussions, brainstorming, managing lists, and dealing with difficult dynamics. Finally, it offers a whole section on building sustainable agreements, covering diverse views, shared understanding, inclusive solutions, unanimity, and closure.
A brilliant book, deceptively simple, breaking down complicated human dynamics and offering tools to create sustainable and democratic decision-making.
The Facilitators Guide to Participatory Decision Making is a highly-accessible and concise manual to running successful meetings that feel good. As a member of numerous consensus-based collectives, I quickly saw how our meetings and decision-making could be vastly improved by reading this book.
The Facilitators Guide was passed to me by Nancy, one of the best facilitators I've ever met. Years ago, we were attempting to create a new mission statement for a non-profit public radio station with people who could barely stand to be in the same room with each other. There were board members who were marked by their passivity and others who usually got what they wanted through proactive Machiavellian maneuvering.
It was an impressive group and an impressive task to bring together these divergent points-of-view to create a unified mission. The facilitator left everyone feeling heard, acknowledged, considered, and involved, and in the end we did several days of work together that felt like a successful and productive use of our time. Surprisingly we even felt great about working with each other. Years later I found myself, as an amateur facilitator offering to lead another non-profit in creating a mission statement. I called Nancy for help and she passed me this book.
As I read this book, my friends rapidly became tired my enthusiastic interruptions. I had so many Ah-Ha! moments I could see my friends tensing up every time I gasped. It felt like someone had passed me the hitherto unpublished operations manual on human group relations.
The book offers basic principles, such as an understanding of the dynamics of group decision-making, participatory values, and the role of a facilitator. It talks about facilitator basics like listening, open discussions, brainstorming, managing lists, and dealing with difficult dynamics. Finally, it offers a whole section on building sustainable agreements, covering diverse views, shared understanding, inclusive solutions, unanimity, and closure.
A brilliant book, deceptively simple, breaking down complicated human dynamics and offering tools to create sustainable and democratic decision-making.
January 5, 2015
Read as part of a requirement in a course on Facilitation, Coordination and Decision Making in Multi-Stakeholder Environments (Disaster Emergency Management). It's OK for what it offers: big font, lots of examples, and little games, exercises, and best practices on facilitation and participation. It might be incredibly useful for the ultra-shy manager or newbie to the field.
May 1, 2018
Fantastic book for facilitators! It provides lots of useful advice for decision making within groups. I learnt about diverging-groan-converging diamond in "Gamestorming", a latter book, but this one contains more insights and tools in order to help groups to better meetings. Highly recommended as a reference.
June 1, 2022
How groups make decisions plays such a huge part in the quality of life for so many individuals. This book is chock full of techniques, wisdom, and practical examples of how to navigate these.
Facilitation is an underutilized and underappreciated skill, and one that anyone can cultivate if they participate in group decision making.
Facilitation is an underutilized and underappreciated skill, and one that anyone can cultivate if they participate in group decision making.
February 2, 2014
Takes the daunting subject of leading group meeting so as to achieve results that reflect best practices in decision processes, and step by step walks the reader through ins and outs of the facilitation process Diagrams and flow charts are wonderfully appealing, easy to read and follow.
August 15, 2017
There is definitely a lot of good information in this book and definitely something I think would be useful to keep around as a reference. The clip art and illustrations are completely over the top, though.
February 12, 2015
Awesome. Just awesome!
October 4, 2017
An excellent resource for anyone needing to facilitate group process and move ideas into action.
October 14, 2017
Recommended for every new facilitator's library...and a great resource for training new facilitators.
May 14, 2022
This is an awesome reference guide for the experienced facilitator, and fantastic place to start for the newbie.
March 14, 2020
It’s a text book so only pick up if you facilitate meetings. If you do, this will make all of your future facilitating much better and easier.
August 8, 2021
An absolute must-read for anyone considering group facilitation as a profession.
June 3, 2022
This is a great reference guide for anyone who has to facilitate any type of meetings in a corporate setting.
March 14, 2023
The best reference guide for facilitating. I'll be flipping back through sections and scanning these pages for the rest of my career.
April 2, 2010
One of the best facilitation guides available. Both content-rich and easy to read.
December 20, 2020
Let’s be clear on something: no one is born knowing about business management. One needs to gain the skills and experience along the years.
When I first started doing Agile Coaching work, shadowing more experienced teammates, I always wondered how they got such outstanding facilitation skills, how they were able to engage a room full of people whose objectives were not aligned at first. When I asked them about that, the answer was always the same “it comes with observation and practice”.
I felt that some academic materials would for sure be available just didn’t know where to look so for the next 2 years I followed my teammates advice: I observed how they did it, put my skills into practice, gathered feedback, and adapted on the next try.
Only this year I learned about this book’s existence through a former colleague. Oh boy, this would have been perfect when I started facilitating meetings for decision making! 😱
The book is a straightforward hands-on practical guide that gives you examples of what to ask, how to act, when to react, when to sit back and listen, how to coach a group from divergent thinking to convergent, what should be part of a session, how to estimate time for exercises of a decision making session, and so on...
This is a must have for all business professionals that make decisions on a daily basis, regardless if they facilitate the discussion or just participate in it.
Seriously.
Read this. If you don’t become more confident in facilitating discussions at least you will understand why others sometimes shy away or speak louder than usual to vocalize their thoughts.
When I first started doing Agile Coaching work, shadowing more experienced teammates, I always wondered how they got such outstanding facilitation skills, how they were able to engage a room full of people whose objectives were not aligned at first. When I asked them about that, the answer was always the same “it comes with observation and practice”.
I felt that some academic materials would for sure be available just didn’t know where to look so for the next 2 years I followed my teammates advice: I observed how they did it, put my skills into practice, gathered feedback, and adapted on the next try.
Only this year I learned about this book’s existence through a former colleague. Oh boy, this would have been perfect when I started facilitating meetings for decision making! 😱
The book is a straightforward hands-on practical guide that gives you examples of what to ask, how to act, when to react, when to sit back and listen, how to coach a group from divergent thinking to convergent, what should be part of a session, how to estimate time for exercises of a decision making session, and so on...
This is a must have for all business professionals that make decisions on a daily basis, regardless if they facilitate the discussion or just participate in it.
Seriously.
Read this. If you don’t become more confident in facilitating discussions at least you will understand why others sometimes shy away or speak louder than usual to vocalize their thoughts.
March 22, 2025
As someone who's just starting to explore the world of facilitation, I found Sam Kaner's "Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making" to be an excellent introduction to the topic. While it might not be as engaging as a business novel, what makes this book stand out is its methodical, no-fluff approach to explaining the "diamond of facilitation" model and its various stages.
The book is packed with practical tools and frameworks that can be immediately applied. I particularly appreciated learning about the neutral stance a facilitator must maintain - to the point where even saying "that's an interesting idea" is discouraged. Another key takeaway is that successful facilitation requires serious preparation and careful selection of techniques beforehand.
Some crucial insights I gained:
- Open discussions create the most pressure on participants and need careful management.
- Always focus on managing the group as a whole rather than trying to control individuals (no matter how tempting it might be to "shut someone up" or "prod" them into participation).
- Visual representation of ideas is crucial - while the book focuses on flipcharts, this principle needs adapting for our increasingly virtual world.
If you're looking for a comprehensive, practical guide to facilitation that cuts through the noise and delivers actionable insights, this is definitely worth your time.
The book is packed with practical tools and frameworks that can be immediately applied. I particularly appreciated learning about the neutral stance a facilitator must maintain - to the point where even saying "that's an interesting idea" is discouraged. Another key takeaway is that successful facilitation requires serious preparation and careful selection of techniques beforehand.
Some crucial insights I gained:
- Open discussions create the most pressure on participants and need careful management.
- Always focus on managing the group as a whole rather than trying to control individuals (no matter how tempting it might be to "shut someone up" or "prod" them into participation).
- Visual representation of ideas is crucial - while the book focuses on flipcharts, this principle needs adapting for our increasingly virtual world.
If you're looking for a comprehensive, practical guide to facilitation that cuts through the noise and delivers actionable insights, this is definitely worth your time.
December 8, 2019
This is THE handbook for facilitating a group decision making process. Chances are that if you have experienced good meeting facilitation you’ll be reminded while reading this. All the major tactics are described and combined with practical advice on how to run a meeting. The level of practicality of this handbook is astonishing. IT includes activity scripts, how to react to difficult group dynamics and much more.
July 20, 2023
The target audience is people who facilitate meetings among multidisciplinary teams where the problem and its solution are not straight forward or outside of the business-as-usual mindset.
However, I think there are a lot of good tools and techniques a Project Manager can take from this book to enhance inclusive collaboration and consensus-building within their team to come up with better and more informed decisions.
👍👍👍👍👍
However, I think there are a lot of good tools and techniques a Project Manager can take from this book to enhance inclusive collaboration and consensus-building within their team to come up with better and more informed decisions.
👍👍👍👍👍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews