Which technique can help facilitate the consensus-building process?

The technique that can help facilitate the consensus-building process is agreeing on criteria to narrow options. This approach helps focus the group's discussion on specific benchmarks or guidelines, which can clarify what is most important to the participants. When everyone is aligned on the criteria for evaluating options, it fosters a more structured decision-making environment. This alignment can reduce contention and ensure that discussions remain productive, as participants can assess ideas and solutions against the agreed-upon standards.

By agreeing on criteria, team members are encouraged to collaboratively evaluate the options available, increasing the likelihood of arriving at a solution that is acceptable to all. This technique helps minimize misunderstandings and allows for a more efficient process in which the group can work together towards a common goal. In this setting, members are more likely to feel heard and valued since their contributions can be weighed against the established criteria, promoting cooperation and compromise.

Other approaches like encouraging competitive debates or implementing strict time limits might foster conflict or lead to rushed decisions, while avoiding discussions about disagreements could result in unresolved issues that undermine the group’s ability to reach a consensus.