Integrative decision-making

Integrative decision-making is a process in which not everyone has to agree with the proposal, but no one must have an objection for it to be validated.

This process, developed in the Holacracy Constitution, helps organizations make better decisions faster. However, all organizations can benefit from this process, whether they adopt Holacracy or not.

The principle is simple: every decision is justified, and can only be rejected if someone proves that it is detrimental to the organization.

In Holacracy, the integrative decision-making process is used during meetings. The facilitator ensures that all steps are followed. Here are the main steps in presenting a proposal and making a decision using this process:

• Presentation of the proposal : The proposer describes a "tension", which may be a problematic situation, an opportunity for improvement or an idea for growth, then presents a proposal to deal with it.
• Clarification questions: Participants ask questions to better understand the proposal.
• Reaction round: Each participant shares his or her reactions to the proposal.
• Clarification option: The proposer can adjust the proposal according to the feedback received.
• Objection round : Participants raise potential objections. If there are no objections, the proposal is adopted. If there are objections, an integration round is carried out.
• Integration round: Participants work together to resolve any objections raised. An objection is considered resolved when the objector confirms that the modified proposal no longer poses a problem, and the proposer ensures that it still meets the initial tension.

This process differs from consensus, which requires everyone's agreement to validate a proposal, which can slow down decision-making. Instead, consent is favored: as long as no justified objections are raised, the proposal can move forward. This limits blockages, avoids ineffective compromises and enables decisions to be taken quickly and efficiently.