SPC 3425- Evaluation

Welcome to Chapter 10 of In Mixed Company! Last chapter we discussed defective decision making so for this chapter we’ll discuss effective decision making and problem solving. I hope this chapter will teach you how to address decisions and problems in your group project this semester as well as any group work in the future.

Let’s start with a few general considerations when it comes to decision making in groups. First, Poole’s multiple sequence model of decision making is the most widely accepted among communication scholars. The model has 3 dimensions: task, relational, and topic. We’ve discussed task and relational components in previous chapters. Groups also take the primary paths when making decisions: unitary, complex cyclic, and solution oriented. The unitary path approaches problem solving step-by-step. The complex cyclic path cycles between the problem and the solution. The solution oriented path addresses the solution before understanding the problem. Groups often choose the complex cyclic path.

Poole’s model describes three paths groups often take, whereas the functional perspective describes steps that groups can take to be productive in decision making. These steps should be seen as guidelines for decision making and are represented in The Standard Agenda, which has six steps. The first step is problem identification. Groups should identify whether they are addressing a problem of fact (something is true or false), value (something is morally right or wrong), or policy (should a course of action be taken). In a group project for class, problem identification could be: what’s the assignment? Second, groups should analyze the problem. In the case of a group project, analyzing the problem might include talking to the instructor about expectations and specifics about the group project. Third is solution criteria. This is where groups identify criteria for success. For example, how do you know when the project is done? Is it done when it is “A” work, when the deadline comes, when you’ve done two drafts of it? This step is important because group members should never assume others have the same criteria for success. Fourth we have solution suggestions. This is where the group brainstorms on how to solve the problem. In the group assignment example, it might be proposing topics for your video. Fifth is solution selection. This is where you would pick which topic you want to cover. Last is solution implementation, where you follow through with the topic you selected and create your group video.

Let’s look back at the fifth step in The Standard Agenda: solution selection. How do groups pick a solution? There are several decision-making rules groups can call on: majority, minority, unanimity. Majority rule is when the group picks the solution that a majority of the group selected. Majority rule can be problematic because it sometimes ignores good solutions but can be effective when groups are large and decisions need to be made quickly. Minority rule occurs when one person makes the decisions for the group. This person interacts with the group to take in all necessary information. This decision-making rule has its issues as well, such as the decision maker seeking personal gain. Last, there is unanimity, or consensus. This decision-making rule occurs when all group members agree on a solution and requires them to commit to it. It can be very difficult to reach consensus in a group because people sometimes simply don’t agree. One way to think about consensus is that you don’t have to absolutely love the solution but can you live with it for the duration of the project your group has undertaken?

Another component of effective decision making is critical thinking. One important step in critical thinking is gathering information. In order to think critically about something, you need to have all the information available while not having information overload (easier said than done!). Once you have the information you need, you must evaluate that information. Think about all of the “fake news” that’s online and how it affects the way we view the world. Thinking critically requires us to weed through information and evaluate its legitimacy. When evaluating information, consider the following: credibility, currency (is it current or outdated?), logic (does it make sense?), representativeness (are statistics put into context?), and sufficiency (do you have enough information to make a sound decision?).

In addition to thinking critically about information, successful groups need participation from all members. If group members do not participate or the quality of participation is low, the decision-making process can be painful. It’s important to keep in mind cultural diversity here because we don’t all approach participation the same way. If there are people in your group who aren’t participating, there are a few ways to encourage them to participate. First, ask them for their thoughts to get them talking. Second, frame the decision making or problem-solving process in a way that interests the low participators. Third, give them tasks to complete, even if they are small ones. Last, ensure you have a positive group climate (we discussed this several chapters back).

Conducting effective meetings can stimulate participation. The meme I’m posting here reminds me of how many people view groups meetings: as a waste of time!

So how can you make meetings effective and ensure group members feel their time is being productive? Start with simple things, such as beginning and ending on time, all members showing up on time, setting an agenda for discussion, staying on track, preparing before the meeting, staying off of your phone, etc. Some of these are the responsibility of the group leader and can make a big difference in buy in to the group. For example, the group leader could create the agenda and send it out to the group several days before the meeting. Your text contains more information about how leaders can facilitate group participation.

The last area I want to go over for this chapter is creative problem solving. Sometimes the problem and solution are clear cut, but sometimes we have to “think outside the box” in order to solve complex problems. Your book contains a lot of information on creative problem solving but I want to highlight just a few concepts here. The first is brainstorming, a concept with which you are all likely familiar. Something that people do during the brainstorming process is to immediately question or dismiss ideas. This can stifle a group! When brainstorming, there are no “bad” ideas and group members should wait until the idea generation process is over to question or shoot down solutions. The second concept I want to address is the nominal group technique, which involves each group member working by themselves to generate solutions before coming together as a group and voting on the best idea/s. Even though you are working in largely virtual groups, you can still participate in these processes online.

That wraps up Chapter 10! Make sure to read the chapter and take notes on important information, review this week’s module, and complete the assignment/s. Thanks for reading!

Dr. Reed