Decision making types
This guide explains the main ways groups make decisions, organized by how much agreement is required before action can happen. Agreement-based methods focus on reaching solutions people can accept without counting votes, while voting-based methods decide by measuring support levels for options, even if some people disagree.
These approaches exist on a spectrum from highest agreement (unanimous) to lowest (plurality). Delegation versus direct decision-making (for example, whether people decide personally or through representatives) is not covered here but can be applied within either category.
Agreement-Based
These methods do NOT rely on counting votes and aim to reach decisions people can accept without creating winners and losers. Instead of asking “how many people support this option?” they ask whether the group can reach an agreement that is acceptable enough to move forward.
Unanimous
A decision is made only if every participant explicitly agrees. This method asks for complete alignment and shared commitment. Because any single “no” stops the decision, this approach often requires extensive negotiation, compromise, and skilled facilitation to resolve concerns before action.
Consensus
Participants collaborate to develop a solution everyone can accept, even if some members do not consider it their first choice. Discussion continues until major objections are resolved, emphasizing shared understanding, and many groups use “modified consensus” rules allowing minor concerns to be recorded without blocking progress.
Consent
Used in sociocratic governance, this method approves a proposal when no one has a reasoned and significant objection that the decision would harm the group’s purpose or functioning. Full agreement is not required, only the absence of objections grounded in mission or operations, and concerns are addressed by improving the proposal rather than persuading dissenters to agree.
Authority
A designated individual or leadership body makes the decision on behalf of the group, sometimes after consultation but without requiring group agreement. This approach prioritizes speed, clarity, or accountability, and is common in hierarchical organizations, emergency situations, or when responsibility is formally assigned.
Voting-Based
These methods answer: Which option has enough support to pass? There can be winners and losers. They prioritize quicker action over understanding what members want.
Majority
An option wins when it receives more than half of the votes cast, meaning it has support from most participants even though minority preferences are overruled; this is the most common democratic decision rule for routine choices.
Supermajority
An option wins when it receives a threshold larger than a simple majority, such as two-thirds or three-quarters of votes. This increases legitimacy for major or irreversible decisions and offers additional protection for minority interests without requiring unanimity.
Plurality
The option with the greatest number of votes wins even if it does not receive more than half. This allows decisions among many options but can produce outcomes that most participants did not prefer; for example, a candidate with 30% can win if others split the remaining votes.
