Produces more winners. In litigation, when one party wins, the other loses. Collaborative processes expand the range of possible solutions to better meet the interests of all parties. Often, the resolution of legal points alone does not resolve the underlying issues that generated the dispute. Gives parties control over process and outcome.
Collaborative processes are voluntary and allow the participation of all appropriate stakeholders.
Parties may terminate negotiations at any time if they feel it is in their best interest to do so. Collaborative Rulemaking - A process in which one or more governmental entities and other interested or impacted parties work together to reach agreement on rules or policies, usually with the assistance of an impartial mediator. Facilitation - A process in which a person who is acceptable to all parties intervenes to help parties improve the way they identify and solve problems or make decisions. For the purposes of this program, facilitation is always part of an agreement seeking process. Consensus Building - A process encompassing a range of skills and methods that seeks to develop agreement among all participants.