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Distributed Sensing & Quorum Decision

Decision Canvas / Strategic

Distributed Sensing & Quorum Thresholds

Many living systems decide without a single "decider." They distribute sensing to the edges, gather multiple signals about what is true, and then commit when conditions cross a threshold (a quorum). This tool mirrors that strategy by separating exploration from commitment: first, "scouts" surface reality-based signals and unknowns; then the group sets clear criteria, trade-offs, and quorum triggers so decisions don't get endlessly re-litigated.

When to Use

  • • Consequential strategic decision
  • • Debate keeps looping
  • • Stakeholders have different views
  • • Stuck on "which path" or "when"

Time Required

  • • 60 minutes (recommended)
  • • Alt: 30 min + async scouts
  • • Then 20-30 min reconvene

Who Should Participate

  • • Decision owner(s)
  • • 3-10 stakeholders
  • • Implementers
  • • Impacted community rep

Materials

  • • Shared notes doc
  • • Signal tracking sheet
  • • Timer (built-in below)

Objectives

  • 1. Force a single decision focus
  • 2. Turn Design Principles into plain-language decision criteria
  • 3. Clarify trade-offs and stakeholder impacts
  • 4. Produce either a decision now or a next test/pilot
  • 5. Set decision triggers (what evidence would change it, what thresholds cause commitment)

Choose Your Mode

Select based on where your group is stuck. You can run modes in sequence if both apply.