The consensus mapping technique (Hart et al., 1985) helps a
facilitator and group reach consensus about how best to arrange a network
of up to maybe 20 – 30 activities that have to be sequenced over
time into a useable plan of action (e.g. outlining a 10-year network
of sequentially linked activities to deal with a complex environmental
pollution issue). These will usually be activities that could be done
in a range of orders – i.e. the order has to be approved –
it is not given by the internal logic of the activities themselves.
The technique has parallels to many of the usual project
planning methods (and could if necessary feed into them) but operates
at a purely qualitative, outline, level.
It merges elements of standard clustering techniques
such at KJ-method and Snowball
Technique with elements of sequential mapping Causal Mapping incorporated
into a wider consensus-seeking procedure that has associates with Eden;s
SODA method. Here is
the suggested procedure:
- Present the ideas: Devise a master list, via
any suitable means, detailing all the ideas to be used in the single
coherent action plan required, e.g. brainstorm the activities needed
to implement some idea or project. Everyone copies the master list
onto Post-its, or equivalent, one idea per slip.
- Form groups: The facilitator form 2 –
4 task groups, each of 5 – 9 individuals in each.
- Private clustering: Individuals in groups makes
their own private attempt to group the ideas into related clusters
or categories.
- Sharing in triads: Join together in pairs or
triads within each task group to describe one another’s clusters.
- Group clustering: Individual task groups combine
to try merging their private clustering into a shared clustering
they can all accept.
- Group review: following group clustering, clarification
of the original ideas, and re-evaluation of them takes place.
- Facilitators create and present a ‘Strawman’
integrated map: each task group delivers their group clusters
to the facilitator they then take a break. During the break, staff
members consolidate the group cluster maps into a single overall
cluster map, containing all the ideas, categories, and relationships
generated by the groups. This ‘Strawman map’ is presented
to the group as a whole when they come back together.
- Map reconfiguration: The whole group splits
itself again into the respective task groups, and each one uses
the ‘Strawman Map’ for motivation and stimuli for developing
its own map in which cluster of activities are linked sequentially.
Links made of ribbon or yarns are better than pen lines at this
stage, because they can be changed.
- Plenary presentation: Each task group exhibits
its map of sequentially linked clusters to the others.
- Map consolidation: Representatives from each
task group meet to construct a single final map that combines the
features of all the maps.
The complete procedure works best with a trained group,
but the mapping element could easily be adapted to informal solo use.
