Instructional Playbook

Decision Making Protocols

Effective teams thrive on collaborative decision-making, which leverages the diverse perspectives and expertise of team members to reach consensus and make well-informed decisions. This approach not only enhances the quality of decisions but also fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among team members. The problem-solving process typically includes three critical elements: 1. identifying a specific problem and potential barriers, 2. specifying a goal for change, and 3. developing a potential solution by creating a plan for implementation and a timeline to monitor outcomes. There are a variety of decision-making protocols that facilitate this collaborative process, ensuring that every voice is heard and that the team arrives at the best possible solution.

Choose a protocol and use it consistently Ensure that decisions that are made are shared with the staff in a timely manner Ensure an opportunity for feedback from stakeholders prior to decisions being made Critical Actions for Educators

Name

Protocol

Identify a problem with precision, which includes clarifying what the problem is, who is involved as well as when, where, how often, why the problem may be occurring, and what may be some potential barriers. Determine an observable and measurable goal that specifies what change will occur, by when (date), where (in which context or under which conditions), and how it will be measured (specific indicator). Develop an effective solution that employs evidence-based practices, is practical, efficient, and naturally matched to the culture of the school, matched to the needs of the students involved, and emphasizes strategies that prevent future occurrence of the identified problem. Evaluate the implemented plan’s effectiveness and determine next steps. Individual idea generation in silence. Round-robin sharing of ideas without discussion. Group discussion to clarify and evaluate ideas. Identify common ground and areas of disagreement. Prioritize proposed solutions. Modify proposals to address concerns and reach a collective agreement. Red Hat: Considers emotions and gut feelings. Black Hat: Identifies potential problems and risks. Yellow Hat: Explores benefits and positive outcomes. Green Hat: Looks for creative solutions and alternatives. Blue Hat: Manages the thinking process and ensures all perspectives are considered. Brainstorm all possible options. Team members are given a set number of votes to distribute among the options (e.g., allow use of small post-its or stickers to anonymously vote for options). Options with the most votes are prioritized for further discussion or implementation. Team members look at making a decision from six distinct perspectives (hats): White Hat: Focuses on data and facts.

Team-Initiated Problem Solving (TIPS)

Consensus Brainstorming

Six Thinking Hats

Multi-voting