Decision making has always been a fraught process in the corporate world. To have more engaged employees and effective output, it is necessary to involve them in decisions. However, making decisions within a bigger team can be messy and burdensome. Even if decisions have been made, commitment levels suddenly seem to vary when it comes to executing decisions.
Even if you are not in the process of software development, non-techies can reap the benefits of their agile process. When you’re developing software, decisions need to be quick and team members need to ensure they’re not burdening the process. The logic is similar to most decisions made by a team. By borrowing their decision-making frameworks, non-tech companies can improve their current ways of reaching a conclusion.
One such technique is called the fist or five. All you need to bring to this meeting is your hand (you don’t even need both!). Transitioning from a closed fist to an open palm, there is a value attributed to each finger raised. This provides a quick voting system on how the team feels about any new work. It also provides transparency about the commitment of each team member to this new work. This, in turn, allows the company to allocate resources more effectively, by assigning more engaged employees to projects and be assured that the work will be followed through.
Guidelines to Implement
Ensure everyone has the same information: Decisions are only as strong as the information used to make them. Informed decision making is important so ensure that all the members of the team have the necessary information that is needed to make the decision. If required, have an information sharing session or circulate an information document prior to the decision making.
Establish grounds for decision making: Have a short discussion to get the pulse of the team. Let different opinions and perspectives be shared. In that discussion, it is likely that the conversation will gear towards the grounds on which the decision will be made.
Ensure everyone understands the tool: Once the team has agreed on the question to frame the decision within (“Do we all want the grass to be green?”) and ensured everyone has the same information to make the decision, brief the team on the fist or five tool. As a guide, there are six options:
- The Closed Fist: “No, I don’t want the grass to be green and if you all decide to make the grass green, then I’m out and you lose my commitment.”
- The thumb finger (the thumbs up sign): “I don’t agree with the grass being green. I’m still in the team – I won’t leave, but don’t ask me to go over it. I will show my commitment outside of this decision and I don’t have energy for accepting this decision.”
- The thumb and index finger held up: “I’m neutral. It’s not my kind of decision, but if I have to do something for it, it’s okay. But, I’d rather not.”
- The thumb, index finger and the middle finger: “It’s my decision and I will work with it, but I’m not really fond of it.”
- The thumb, index finger, middle finger and the ring finger: “I feel, very strongly, that this is my decision and I want to work with it. I’m super enthusiastic about offering support.”
- All five fingers raised (the high 5 sign): It’s the mirror image of the fist. “I’ll be a leader in this decision because I’m such a firm believer. If you don’t make this decision, I’m out of the team.”