:Title:    Easy consensus with 40+ people in an hour - no computers required
:Author:   Jason Diceman
:Date:     Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:49:14 PDT
:Modified: Sat, 02 Jun 2007 11:51:21 PDT
:URL:      http://www.omidyar.net/user/u457951781/news/1/

I have designed and demonstrated a process called **Advanced Dotmocracy** to help large groups of people find agreement when they don't have the luxery of a professional facilitator, audience polling systems or ubiquitous Internet usage. 

.. image :: http://static.flickr.com/69/198211572_d967538aa6_m.jpg

http://dotmocracy.org

If you are familiar with traditional dot-voting using stickers then you would be interested to learn how Advanced Dotmocracy is an upgrade
http://dotmocracy.org/compare_traditional

For those new to the idea, its quite simple. In a big meeting... 

1. **An issue is presented with questions.**  

2. **Discuss potential solutions**, ideally in mixed break-out groups.

3. **Write ideas on seperate Dotmocracy Idea Sheets.** 
Download a copy at http://dotmocracy.org/sheets

4. **Fill dots to record opinions. Write comments.**
This is where the magic comes in. On each sheet dots record levels of agreement or confusion, comments give feedback and signatures provide validation.  See an example of a sheet in dotting process at 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jason_diceman/404943937/

5. **Formulate a common solution.** The visual results among the many posted ideas makes it easy to find an ideal solution that is acceptable for everyone.


The full details of the process, its rules, guidelines and best practices are in the free PDF handbook http://dotmocracy.org/handbook

Case studies, mailing lists, FAQs, pictures and more at
http://dotmocracy.org

If you think it could work for you, let me know.  

Pass it on :-)

-jd