converge · Decision Making · 30–60 min · 5-100 people · low energy
Dotmocracy
Dotmocracy is a structured method for gauging agreement on written statements within a group. Participants anonymously express their opinions using a dot-based scale, resulting in a visual representation of collective sentiment.
When to use Dotmocracy
Use Dotmocracy when you need to quickly assess the level of support for a range of ideas or proposals, especially with larger groups where verbal discussion might be inefficient.
What it solves
Difficulty prioritizing numerous ideas; Risk of dominant voices influencing decisions; Need for anonymous feedback.
How to run Dotmocracy, step by step
- Prepare Dotmocracy sheets with clear statements or ideas. (15 minutes)
- Explain the dotting scale (strong agreement to strong disagreement/confusion) to participants. (5 minutes)
- Participants individually review the sheets and add their dots, signing each sheet. (20-30 minutes)
- Collect the sheets and analyze the results, noting patterns of agreement and disagreement. (10 minutes)
Materials needed
- Dotmocracy sheets (printed or digital)
- Pens or digital annotation tools
- Writing surface (wall, clipboards, or digital whiteboard)
Facilitator tips
- Ensure statements are concise and easily understandable.
- Encourage participants to add brief comments to explain their dotting choices.
- Clearly display the results for the group to see and discuss.
Common pitfalls
- Statements are ambiguous or confusing, leading to inaccurate results. - Ensure clarity and test statements beforehand.
- Participants don't understand the dotting scale. - Provide clear instructions and examples.
- Too many statements overwhelm participants. - Limit the number of statements or break them into smaller groups.
Variations
- Use different colored dots to represent different demographic groups.
- Conduct a second round of dotting after a brief discussion to see if opinions have shifted.
Running it online or hybrid
Use a digital whiteboard tool like Miro or Mural to create Dotmocracy sheets. Participants can add digital dots to indicate their agreement level.
What it produces
A collection of Dotmocracy sheets showing the distribution of agreement levels for each statement, along with any written comments.
Origin
Adapted from BetterEvaluation.org — source
Build a session around Dotmocracy
METODIC places Dotmocracy inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.