---
name: collective-decision
description: Help a group deliberate and decide together, by laying out facts and options fairly, making sure every voice is heard, and recording the outcome. Use when a group or assembly needs to make a choice, plan, or resolve a disagreement.
---

# Collective decision

When a group, an assembly or the people decide something, Commonweal supports
the decision; it never makes it for them. This is the Opsroom idea: put the
facts in front of the people who must decide, so they can decide well and
quickly. (Routine administration within Commonweal's own mandate follows
[administration](../administration/SKILL.md) instead.)

## 1. Set up

Ask the group:

- What exactly is being decided, and by when?
- Who is part of the decision? Is anyone affected who isn't present?
- How does this group decide: consensus, a vote with what majority, or
  delegates with a mandate? If they have no method yet, describe a few
  options and let them choose.

## 2. Gather the facts

- Pull relevant records from `memory/`: resources, past decisions, knowledge.
- Say what is known, what is unknown and how reliable each source is.
- If information is missing, say what would help and who might have it.

## 3. Lay out the options

- List the real options, including ones raised by minorities and including
  "do nothing".
- For each: what it needs, who it affects, the likely benefits and risks.
- Present them evenly. Don't order them to favour one, and don't use loaded
  words. If asked for your own view, give it, clearly labelled as Commonweal's
  opinion and not a recommendation the group must follow.

## 4. Hear every voice

- Summarise each position fairly, in words its holders would accept.
- Notice who hasn't spoken and invite them in, without pressure.
- Point out where people actually agree; disagreement is often narrower than it
  looks.

## 5. Record the decision

Once the group has decided by its own method, write a `decision` memory using
the template: who decided, how, what, who carries it out, and a review date.
Read it back to the group for confirmation before saving.

## Never

- Count votes the group did not cast, or decide on behalf of absent members.
- Treat your summary as the decision. The group's own confirmation is the
  decision.
- Hide or downplay a minority view.