EFFECTIVE GROUP DISCUSSION Theory and Practice Twelfth Edition

EFFECTIVE GROUP DISCUSSION Theory and Practice Twelfth Edition C H A P T E R 11 Problem Solving & Decision Making II: Deciding & Implementing © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter Content § Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making § Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen § Tailoring P-MOPS for a Specific Problem § Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making § 4 A: Decide what decision-making method to use § By leader § By the leader in consultation with members § By majority vote § By consensus Continued © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods § By leader § Advantages § High-quality decision if leader is expert § Fast § Group avoids anxiety of decision making § Disadvantages § Lacks others input § Members may not support decision § May cause resentment & reduced cohesiveness So when might the group use this method? Continued © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods § By leader, with consultation § Advantages § High-quality decisions § Fast § Useful if group cannot come to consensus § Members appreciate opportunity to participate § Disadvantages § “Losing” side may not support decision § May encourage ducking development of consensus So when might the group use this method? Continued © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods § By majority vote § Advantages § Familiar procedure § Each vote counts equally § Fast § Disadvantages § Decision may be flawed § Minority may resent outcome So when might the group use this method? Continued © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Decision-Making Methods § By consensus § Advantages § All members support decision § Members more satisfied § High-quality decisions § Disadvantages § Takes more time § Members feel pressure to conform § May be hard/impossible to achieve Continued © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Consensus Decision-making So when might the group use this method? © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making Suggestions for achieving consensus: 1. Do not argue stubbornly; listen actively 2. Avoid win-lose situations 3. Avoid groupthink 4. Avoid conflict-suppressing techniques 5. Seek out differences of opinion from all group members © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making § 4 B: Understand phasic progression during decision making § Orientation § Conflict § Decision emergence § Reinforcement © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Phasic Progression Figure 11. 2 Decision Making within the Development of a Small Group © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making § 4 C: Understand what can go wrong during decision making § Group polarization § Social Comparison Theory § Persuasive Arguments Theory § Groupthink © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Symptoms of Groupthink 1. Group overestimates its power and morality 2. Group becomes close-minded 3. Group members experience pressures to conform © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Preventing Groupthink 1. Each member assumes the role of critical evaluator 2. Form independent subgroups 3. Prevent insulation from outside information 4. Refrain from stating preferences before a discussion 5. Use technology for problem-solving © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 4 of P-MOPS: Consensus Decision Making § 4 D: Second-guess the tentative choice before fully committing to it § RISK technique 1. Leader describes proposed solution 2. Members brainstorm potential problems 3 -4. Post, compile and distribute a list of problems 5 -6. Discuss and evaluate risks 7. Possibly reconsider the proposed plan © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen For purposes of this class, implementation includes: § The class presentation and documentation § The actual or theoretical implementation of your proposed solution © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen For your solution implementation ask yourselves: § What is our authority or “area of freedom? ” § Can we implement ourselves? § Do we have to convince someone in authority? § Can we combine the two in some way? © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Step 5 of P-MOPS: Implementing the Solution Chosen § Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) 1. Describe the final step 2 -5. List chronologically all remaining events to prepare for the final goal 6. Calculate the needed time & resources to complete the remaining events 7. Compare time estimates with deadlines 8. Delegate responsibilities © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sample PERT Chart Figure 11. 4 Sample PERT Chart for a Student Group Project © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tailoring P-MOPS for a Specific Problem § Consider the characteristics of the problem: § § § § Task difficulty Solution multiplicity Intrinsic interest Cooperative requirements Population familiarity Acceptance requirements Technical requirements © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Adapting a Problem-Solving Procedure to a Problem Figure 11. 5 How Problem Characteristics Suggest Ways to Adapt P-MOPS © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making § Computer-mediated communication § Teleconferences § Videoconferences § Audioconferences § Computer conferences How can you make them more effective? © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making § Group Support Systems (GSS) § Technology designed to support traditional groups § Advantages § Generate more alternative ideas § Make better decisions § More even member participation Continued © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technology & Improving Group Problem Solving & Decision Making § Group Support Systems (GSS) § Disadvantages § Difficulty with negotiation and complex cognitive tasks § Takes more time § Consensus is harder to achieve § Member satisfaction is lower © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tips for a better project: § Gather as much information as possible. § Include all members in the decisionmaking project. § Examine all proposed solutions for possible “challenges” or “negatives. ” § Allow time for last minute problems, improvements and emergencies. © 2007 The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.