I. Introduction

A team, "is a group of people with a high degree of interdependency organized to achieve a task" according to Marvin R. Weisbord author of Productive Workplaces: Organizing and Managing for Dignity, Meaning and Community.

When working as a team, members must have a dual focus. Their focus must be on the product, accomplishing the task and the process, team development. One of the processes a teams often struggle with is the decision making process. If a team cannot make decisions effectively then this may detract from the teams ability to accomplish their assigned task.

Focus of Team Work	Teams must have a dual focus to be successful
1. Product	task accomplishment
2. Process	team development

There are four methods that teams can use to make decisions:

METHODS	DESCRIPTION
1. Autocratic	A single person makes the decision based on their position in the "power structure"
2. Democratic	A vote is taken among team members and the decision is carried with a majority of the votes cast.
3. Consultative	A single person makes the decision on the basis of information and guidance of the team.
4. Consensus	A decision is made when all team members have committed to support the decision. Team members may not agree with all aspects of the decision, however they can "live" with the decision.

All of the above methods are legitimate. Teams may want to decide before a meeting or project begins the kind of decision making processes they will be using and when. Simply identifying the method that will be used to make the decision before the team meets can alleviate frustration and help the team function more smoothly. Students may feel most comfortable with methods two and three and use these methods most often to make decisions. Your student teams may not be using the consensus method simply because they do not know how to reach consensus. Encourage your students to practice with the following procedure for reaching consensus, and remind them that while consensus may be more time consuming than the other methods it is the most valuable because consensus results in the greatest level of individual commitment to the decision.

II. The Criteria Matrix: A Decision Making Tool

The Criteria Matrix is a team decision making method. The criteria matrix is a decision making tool that helps groups work through the process of comparing proposed solutions against a set of objectives. The criteria matrix can be used both at the group and individual level. The criteria matrix helps groups consider the ideas most closely related to the groups stated goals and objectives. Ideally, the criteria matrix will help foster shared ownership of the group decision and help group members decide on the best choice possible.

Step 1
Process	As a team brainstorm a list of possible solutions.
Purpose	To come up with as many ideas as possible.
Step 2
Process	As a team brainstorm a list of goals or objectives for the solutions. Prioritize this list.
Purpose	To decide what the team wants the solution to achieve.
Step 3
Process	Each team member should fill out his or her individual matrix sheet, listing the criteria across the top and the options or possible solutions down the side.
Purpose	The object is to weigh each option against each criterion. If the individual feels that an option meets a certain criterion than an X is marked in the box.
Step 4
Process	After individuals have finished their sheets, the facilitator refocuses the team and they complete the criteria matrix together. The group as a whole should proceed to weigh each option against each criterion, placing an X in a box after discussion and group consensus. When all the options have been considered, the facilitator should tally the number of Xs for each option and note the number on the newsprint.
Purpose	The criteria matrix is a method of systematically guiding the groups discussion. The result does not need to be binding, attention should be paid to ideas that come out in the process as well as the final result.
Step 5
Process	Discuss the solution that met the most criteria. Ask each team member if they support the solution that has met the greatest number of criteria.
Purpose	To seek common understanding and get verbal agreement form each team member.
Step 6
Process	Act upon your teams decision.
Purpose	To implement the solution your team has decided upon.

III. Sample Criteria Matrix

Criteria Matrix: Selecting a new car.

Criteria/Solutions	Affordable	Seats Six	Off-road	Safe	Looks Cool	Total
Ferrari					x	1
V W Bug	x			x	x	3
Mini-Van	x	x		x		3
Explorer	x		x	x	x	4

IV. Sample Agenda Using Criteria Matrix

Desired Outcome: The team must come to a consensus on a single solution to a problem they are trying to solve.

What	How	Who	Time
Review agenda items, desired outcome, Agreements, and roles.	Team agrees on agenda and desired outcome	Facilitator	5 minutes
Develop a list of Criteria	Make sure team understands the term"criteria" Brainstorm, Clarify, Combine ideas, Rank the ideas in order of importance, Discuss and Agree	Facilitator/ Recorder/ Team	15 minutes
Develop a list of Options/Solutions	Brainstorm, Clarify, Combine ideas, Discuss and Agree	Facilitator/ Recorder/ Team	15 minutes
Individual Feedback on Process	Get feedback from team members. How do they feel the process is going. Have each team member verbally check-in. If the team is unhappy with how things are going take a break or go back and revisit an agenda item.	Facilitator/ Team	5 minutes
Complete the Criteria Matrix	Individuals fill out personal Matrix. Team fills out group Matrix. Tally the scores.	Individuals/ Facilitator/ Recorder/ Team	10 minutes
Decision on the best Option/Solution	Discuss the top Options/Solutions until all members are in agreement. Check-in with each team member to get verbal agreement.	Facilitator/ Team	10 minutes
Act on Decision	Agree and assign responsibility on the next step. Set the next time for team meeting.	Facilitator/ Team	5 minutes

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