MOVE - Moderation and Visualization for Group ... - INSPIRATION

values, a simple scale with adjectives, or a twodimensional
diagram are good for a quick review
of a group’s opinions and trends, for setting
priorities, and for highlighting most important
points. The ‘mood barometer’ (see Part 5)
represents a good example for a single-dot issue.
Multi-dot questions are useful for letting a group
determine critical issues on its own. It is a
prerequisite, then, that alternatives or various
aspects of an issue or problem have already been
developed during group work: more points on
the agenda than can be covered within the time
frame, for example. Also, the comparison of
skills, expectations, and achievements assessed
before and after a training event can easily be
facilitated by means of dots (see Part 5). The
multi-dot question helps the group determine
the ‘red thread’ in the ocean of ideas. With a
given number of self-adhesive dots for each
participant, each member of the group has the
same chance to articulate his or her opinion, or
choice.
Ranking is a tool for reaching a group consensus
on a course of action to be adopted, and for
setting priorities. It can be used when individual
opinions must be consolidated into a group
decision. Ranking can also be used to identify
and quantify needs. The moderator visualizes the
question at stake and distributes the dots that are
later to be placed on the board with the items to
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choose from, e.g., the list of case studies ready
for presentation. You should ask the participants
to note their selection on paper before ‘dotting’ as
to avoid ‘opinion leader effects’. List the items to
be prioritized on a board visible to everyone.
Make the items simple by using visual images,
drawings or symbols. Define a simple ranking
mechanism. The system used may depend on the
number of items. Where there are more than ten
items, each participant can be given a specific
number of stickers and asked to stick one or
more beside each item they consider important.
Where there are fewer than ten items, or where
participants wish to weight their judgment of
each item, a numbering system may be more
appropriate. In that case, each participant
allocates a number to each item according to
their priority. Explain the ranking system to the
participants and ask them to think about their
preferences and then to place their stickers or
write their numbers against the items listed. The
results are immediately and clearly visible to the
group. After each participant has ranked the
items, compile the group result by counting the
number of dots or marks beside each item or by
adding up the numbers recorded against each.
Rank the priorities according to the group’s total
score and discuss the results with the group.
Identify and explore disagreements if any exist
(see Oepen 2000: 143ff).
This type of ranking documents a democratic
and objective selection process. Decisions about
what should be done and the order of priority are
made by the group as a whole rather than being
imposed on them. Ranking through consensus is
helpful in increasing group commitment to a
program of action. But be careful as rankings
and decisions produces winners and losers.
Choices may be affected by highly subjective
factors and ‘block voting’ by certain groups can
bias the result. Therefore, avoid negative argumentations
and the identification of ideas or
issues with individuals. Make sure that the
decision making process is transparent and that
the ‘losers’ will remain integrated so they will
continue collaborating constructively.