18F
18F - Dot Voting
Dot voting is a fast way to make decisions democratically. It cuts through endless debate. People vote with dots to show what matters most. This reveals collective priorities without full agreement. You get a data-driven view of group values.
Duration
30 mins
Group Size
5-20
Category
18F
Difficulty
Easy
Participants will:
- Quickly surface individual priorities.
- Identify collective patterns.
- Build buy-in through democratic participation.
- Move to concrete decisions.
You'll get:
- Dot voting results showing priorities.
- Quick group prioritization.
- Clear preferences.
Before you start, ensure options are comparable. Frame options at the same level of specificity. Tell people this isn't the final decision, but data to inform it. Enforce silence during voting. Watch for people trying to see how others voted. If you get a tie, discuss what would break it. Look beyond the top vote-getter; the pattern is key. People will want to debate before voting; don't let them. I've seen people try to game the system. Call it out. For sensitive decisions, consider anonymous voting. After voting, discuss why people voted the way they did. The votes are data, not the final answer. Sometimes, despite my best efforts, people get overly attached to their ideas. Remind them it's about collective wisdom.
Start the conversation
Be the first to share your thoughts, experiences, or questions!