Five-Fingered Consensus
The Five-Fingered Consensus is a quick and effective method to gauge the level of agreement within a group on a particular topic. It is particularly useful in large groups or breakout sessions where time is limited.
How to run it
- 1
Explain to the group that they will be using their fingers to indicate their level of agreement, with 5 fingers meaning full agreement and a fist indicating complete disagreement.
- 2
Present the topic or decision for which you want to gauge consensus.
- 3
Ask participants to raise their fingers simultaneously to show their level of agreement.
- 4
Observe the range of responses to determine the group's consensus level.
- 5
Decide on the next steps based on the level of agreement shown.
Tips
Use this method to quickly assess where the group stands without lengthy discussions.
If there is a wide range of responses, consider facilitating further discussion or mediation to address differing viewpoints.
Variations
For a more nuanced approach, you can ask participants to explain their choice after the initial show of fingers, allowing for deeper insights into their perspectives.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Five-Fingered Consensus?â–¾
Use Five-Fingered Consensus when you want to: Assessing consensus in a large group meeting; Quick decision-making in breakout sessions; Identifying areas of disagreement for further discussion.
How long does Five-Fingered Consensus take?â–¾
Five-Fingered Consensus typically takes 5–15 minutes.
How many participants does Five-Fingered Consensus work for?â–¾
Five-Fingered Consensus works best for groups of 5 or more.
What materials do I need for Five-Fingered Consensus?â–¾
Five-Fingered Consensus requires no special materials — just participants and a space.
How difficult is Five-Fingered Consensus to facilitate?â–¾
Five-Fingered Consensus is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.