TRG LIST/VOTE METHOD:
A means of listing and prioritizing alternatives considered by a group:
OPENING:
A demonstration list/vote is held to start the session
a. The Leader writes the group/question/date on a flipchart or central screen
LISTING:
Each answer that any individual member raises will be written on the page headed with the question.
a. The Leader proposes a simple written form of each answer.
b. The words chosen must be approved by the individual making the suggestion.
c. Every answer is listed even if the answer might be a duplicate.
d. Discussion is valuable, but no one may argue against an item on the list other than to suggest an alternative be listed.
COMBINING:
The Leader helps the group combine answers that are the same.
a. No one may order someone else's answer be edited or eliminated.
CONDUCTING THE POLL:
a. The group "votes" the list, identifying preferences
i. Each member has a set of four ‘Cards’ from which to select an answer.
ii. Votes are never ‘for or against,’ but selected from the 4 answers below.
iii. The groups ‘votes’ for each item at the same time, by each placing a chosen card face down in front of them, then revealing them all at once.
b. The resulting list is re-written on a flipchart sheet in the order shown by the vote.
c. A shortened results list may then be ‘voted’ to clarify key targets.
RANKING:
Each individual is asked to vote every item on the list into one of the four categories shown on the cards:
1) = Critical (essential in nature, must be done to achieve success)
2) = Significant (greatly improves the prospect of success)
3) = Some Value (has a potential for being worthwhile)
4) = No Value (value returned is less than the effort expended)
CONTAINING DEBATE: In order to limit the potential of spiraling dispute:
a. Looping back to argue ideas that where listed, voted and ranked should be limited, unless part of a follow-up ‘listing and voting’ sequence.
EXAMPLE OF OUTCOME:
Question: “How important is it that we plan together?”
Resulting Answer with 9 people voting: 2/6/1/0
a. 2 voted the item “Critical”
b. 6 voted the item “Significant value”
c. 1 voted the item “Some value”
d. 0 voted the item “No value”
Conclusion: “Having the team plan together is most valuable to this group.”