One of the topics that I found was not fully covered in my trainings was decision making.

Jurgen Appelo, the founder of the unFix method made this infographic that highlights some of the most common methods.

Below is a breakdown of each method and links for further reading.

1. Unanimity
   1. A decision is not made until ALL parties/participants can agree on the final decision.
2. Fist to Five
   1. Each idea is presented to participants who vote using a show of fingers on one hand where a vote of disapproval is a fist.  Each subsequent finger displayed shows increasing approval up to five fingers for "I love this idea".
3. Scoring
   1. Also known as grid or matrix analysis, each idea is given a score based on how well it matches pre-defined criteria.  The idea that achieves the highest score is selected as the final decision.
4. Dot-voting
   1. Participants are given one or more dots/votes that they can apply to a displayed list of ideas.  The idea(s) that are given the most votes are selected.
5. Multi-voting
   1. Most often used when there is a large number of ideas and in conjunction with other methods.  Ideas are put through an initial screening to select the ones most prioritized/liked/appropriate.  Then, a second round of voting occurs on the results of this screening to determine the final "winners".
6. Consensus
   1. A method where all participants seek a mutually acceptable solution where no party member will obstruct the final decision.  Silence on the topic is considered the same as agreement/acceptance.
7. Supermajority
   1. Where a large majority of participants must agree (typically 67-90%) before a decision is made.
8. Majority
   1. Where at least 51% of participants must agree before a decision is made.
9. Plurality
   1. The result given the most votes is accepted as the decision regardless of what percentage of participants voted for the idea.
10. Consent
    1. Participants will proceed with an idea unless there are objections.  In this case, similar to consensus, silence is taken as agreement.
11. Brainstorming
    1. A group will come together to collaborate on developing a decision.  Other methods can be used during the brainstorming process, but the focus is on critical thinking, collaboration, and consideration of alternative perspectives.
12. Authority
    1. Someone in a leadership position presents an idea with the expectation that it will be followed.
13. Commission
    1. A subgroup or secondary party is given authorization to make a decision on behalf of the larger organization.  See the European Union as an example of a large-scale commission.
14. Randomizing
    1. Each idea is given equal weight and one is selected at random.  Examples include:  ideas in a hat/box, random number generators, etc.
15. Deferral
    1. When making a decision is delayed until a later time.  It is also one of the seven Lean Development principles.