Mapping Mapping refers to those activities which enable a group to clarify where it has been and where it is headed. Previewing taking time to go over the day's agenda, reflecting on what will happen next, and collecting one's thoughts and suggestions. Tool Take five minutes at the beginning of each group session to preview the agenda and to write down a few notes on what needs to happen during the session. Consensus Testing checking with each person to ensure that he or she agrees with the essence of the decision. This might also entail negotiating new agreements that incorporate the concerns of individuals.
Tools Stop and check with each person when an agreement has been made.
Ask each person to clarify whether or not they agree with the decision as made, what they would want instead, and why. This is a visual means of testing for consensus. Individuals give their degree of agreement on a scale of one to five. This is a quick way to poll the group and can be done periodically throughout the consensus seeking process. Summarizing Identify what was decided or accomplished, what steps remain, and clarifying who will do what.