Decision-making conferencing

Meetings where it is intended that important decisions are to be made as opposed to contacts, plans, exchanges, presentations, etc. (though these may be part of a decision-making process). The most basic decision is: "Who shall decide ?" There are many decision-making processes for individuals and groups -the greater the number of participants in the process the longer the cost in time, energy, and other resources. Yet the smaller the decision-making group is within any organization, the smaller the chance for apparent and actual representation which can lead to frustration and a lack of cooperation with the decisions.[Advantages]

The conference situation can bring together many different people and different perspectives in order to focus on the decisions to be made. People experience themselves as involved and can commit themselves to the plan. The limited time-frame can catalyse intense concentration on the issues in order to be able to make the decision in the time available. The change from the routine can also allow participants to get "distance" from their immediate issues and to see them in a broader context.

[Disadvantages]

The limited time-frame can prove to be inadequate and can be exploited by groups who seek to delay the process. The conference process is usually costly and the actual decisions that are made may not appear to justify the costs of the exercise.