Online FORUM Online FORUM Consensus Convergence Software Consensus Convergence Software
Online FORUMOnline FORUMConsensus Convergence SoftwareConsensus Convergence Software
• People talk past each other.• Blood pressures rise.• Everyone gets defensive.
Adversarial debate is a path to failure…
• Exasperation deepens.• Positions become hardened.• Misunderstandings multiply.• Nothing is accomplished.
In such situations:
Simply put, it doesn’t work.
So where do we find a model that does work?
Certainly not among professional advocates.
Here’s an approach:
1) Take the best ideas from philosophy, science, engineering, and communication studies.
2) Design a product based on them.
To empower people to achieve productive consensus
on issues that matter.
The Goal:The Goal:
Provide incentives for group success.
Cultivate the skills needed to assess issues.
Enhance positions incrementally.
Guide dialog past common breakdown points.
Set clear and attainable thresholds for success.
The Approach:The Approach:
THE WSP FORUMTHE WSP FORUM- An Introduction -
Dedicated to those willing to stay for an answer.
What is required of participants?What is required of participants?
ANSWER:ANSWER:
QUESTION:QUESTION:
1) A constructive attitude1) A constructive attitude
2) A little patience2) A little patience
• Is achieved through inquiry and dialog.
• Is accorded to ALL who converge on consensus.
SUCCESS…
It isn’t about being right so much as getting it right.
How do you accumulate progress?How do you accumulate progress?
ANSWER:ANSWER: Build it into the process. Build it into the process.
QUESTION:QUESTION:
Topic: Funding level for 2014Status:
Ongoing
The level MUST be increased
Next Action: Awaiting rebuttals to Team #3's latest position paper.
There's no money for an increase
Optional funding sources
Some expenses must be cut
Exit
Participants: 18 Uncommitted:
4
Topic: The 2016 Budget
Status: Ongoing
Are any areas under-funded?
Out of the box brainstorming
Are there alternative funding sources?
What expenses should be cut?
Participants: 18 Observers: 4
Agreed: Last year's budget can't be used for 2016. (100%)Agreed: Mistakes were made in last year's budget. (100%)Agreed: We must make a decision by 12/01/15. (64%)Agreed: We need input from key clients on support levels. (100%)Open: We should cut costs by limiting mailouts to the metropolitan area.
RECORD OF RESOLUTIONS
ExitAlerts (2) History BlogVote on Resolutions
Team 1 (2)
Team 2 (5)
Team 3 (3)
Team 4 (4)
Success = 80%
Goal: An optimum budget proposal for FY 2016.
This is where the main dialog
happens.
How do team members work together?How do team members work together?
ANSWER:ANSWER: In their team space. In their team space.
QUESTION:QUESTION:
15
Team 2 Page: The 2016 Budget
Position:Team
Members:
5Out of the box brainstorming
VivaYoJaneA Noba Loney Transcend Deep Thot
08:22 JaneA: Are we only brainstorming about cutting spending?08:44 Noba Loney: It could be about anything related to the budget.09:03: JaneA: I don't think anyone knows where to cut.09:04: Noba Loney: That’s why we need to think differently. 09:08: Noba Loney: I’ll look for a book on it.
Team Dialog
ExitTeam Alerts (0) Team History Position Page Topic Page
Comment
How do the Topics come into being?How do the Topics come into being?
ANSWER:ANSWER: Authorized members create them. Authorized members create them.
QUESTION:QUESTION:
Topic Definition
Label The 2016 Budget
Description Some combination of cuts and/or new funding sources is needed to keep everything within our means without losing valuable services. We need to look into all options and come up with a good budget.
Teams 4 Members
Ongoing
18
Status 80Success %
View/Define View/Select
Topic Page 17OK Cancel
Goal An optimum budget proposal for FY 2016.
Who controls user access?Who controls user access?
ANSWER:ANSWER: Designated administrators.Designated administrators.
QUESTION:QUESTION:
System Administration
RequiredOptional
Profiles...
Personal
Education RequiredOptional
Foundational Views RequiredOptional
RequiredOptionalOrientation
Not Tracked
Not Tracked
Not Tracked
JaneAStans2ReasonDeepThotNoba LoneyTranscend
03/14/1503/14/1504/02/1504/03/1504/03/15
65%68%83%68%61%
YesYesNoYesNo
YesYesNoYesNo
Member Added Rate Topics Teams
Access Control...
Add Edit Search 19OK Cancel
Why call this product “applied philosophy”?
ANSWER:ANSWER: Because its design, including its expert system, was largely shaped by 2,500 years of philosophy.
QUESTION:QUESTION:
If there is a roadblock in the dialog, the expert system can be consulted to diagnose its source.
Example: Is a group reality check needed?
The system can then recommend actions -
List the central facts related to the Topic.
Do the teams agree on these?
If not, focus on resolving the disagreements.
The system can also recommend high quality resources for particular types of issues.
The WSP Forum provides an electronic environment in which people can cultivate inquiry skills in a supportive dynamic whose only goal is productive consensus on
issues that matter.
Walking the Sunlit Path: The Technical Framework
Walking the Sunlit Path: A Map For Living
Walking the Sunlit Path: Introduction
For more, see these slideshows…
Live presentations available on request.
This project needs a team to finish itPARTICULARLY FOR JAVASCRIPT
If you would like to become involved in any aspect of it, please contact -
“W alk ing the Sunlit P ath”