Fact or Fiction

Separating Evidence-Based Knowledge from Unsubstantiated Opinion

Participatory Decisions Are More Effective

This statement does not hold true in all situations. First, it is dependent on the form and quality of the participatory decision making process used. Done well, consensus and idea critique forms of decision making can lead to decisions that are more effective than any indivdual within the group (including the leader) could have made on their own.  However, well thought out, indivdual decisions are likely to be more effective than group decisions when groups either use a poor process (eg majority rules) or when groups use an effective decision making process but do not execute it well.

Further, Vroom's normative model of decision making, provides well substntiated guidance as to when it is most effective to make a decision yourself, to consult with others, to make a decision by consensus and to delegate the decision to someone else.