Setting the Stage

Setting the state for the decision-making process is critical to making successful choices.

Setting the stage consists of:

Selecting the right people to participate in the process

Choosing an approach for making the actual decision

Creating a climate that promotes healthy debate and allows for diverse viewpoints.

A group of people with diverse perspectives is more likely to generate a variety of thoughtful ideas about how to make a particular decision than a group of individuals with the same background. When you choose people for your decision-making group, look for individuals who are likely to express differing points of view and who represent different interests. Your group should include


Key stakeholders. These are the people who will be most directly affected by the decision or who have a stake in the decision. You need to their buy-in to put the decision into effect. Since they are the more likely to support a decision they helped make, include them early in the process to ensure an efficient implementation.

Experts. Experts can educate the group and provide information about the feasibility of various courses of action you are considering. Keep in mind that you many need more than one area of expertise represented in your group.

Opponents. If you are aware of individuals who may oppose the decision and block its implementation, invite them to one or more of your meetings. Involving potential opponents early on can eliminate obstacles down the road.

Ideally, your group should be small in size, preferable between and five and seven members. Depending on the complexity of the decision at hand, you may want to involve as many as ten or as few as two people in the decision-making process.

ACTION POINT: Use key stakeholders, experts and opponents to build an effective decision making group.