converge · Decision Making · 5–15 min · 3-40 people · low energy

Dotmocracy / Dot Voting

Dot Voting is a simple, visual prioritization technique where participants allocate a limited number of 'dots' to vote for their preferred options. It quickly surfaces collective priorities from a list of ideas or proposals.

When to use Dotmocracy / Dot Voting

Use Dot Voting when you need to quickly narrow down a list of options, identify popular choices, or gain a sense of the group's priorities in a democratic and engaging way.

What it solves

Difficulty reaching consensus on a large number of ideas; lack of clear prioritization.

How to run Dotmocracy / Dot Voting, step by step

  1. Present all ideas clearly, one per sticky note or slide. (5 minutes)
  2. Allow participants to ask clarifying questions about each idea. (5 minutes)
  3. Distribute a set number of dots (e.g., 3-5) to each participant. (1 minute)
  4. Instruct participants to place their dots next to the ideas they support; they can distribute them as they wish. (5 minutes)
  5. Count the dots for each idea and rank them accordingly.

Materials needed

  • Sticky notes or slides
  • Dot stickers or markers
  • Whiteboard or virtual whiteboard (Mural, Miro)
  • Timer

Facilitator tips

  • Clearly explain the voting rules before starting.
  • Encourage participants to spread their votes or concentrate them as they see fit.
  • If there's a tie, consider a brief discussion or a second round of voting.

Common pitfalls

  • Participants not understanding the ideas: Ensure all ideas are clearly explained and understood before voting.
  • Uneven distribution of dots leading to skewed results: Remind participants to vote based on their true preferences.

Variations

  • Weighted Dot Voting: Assign different values to different colored dots.
  • Silent Dot Voting: No discussion allowed during the voting process.
  • Limited Dot Voting: Participants can only vote for a certain number of ideas.

Running it online or hybrid

For online sessions, use virtual whiteboards like Mural or Miro. Utilize built-in voting tools or pre-create voting circles for participants to drag and drop.

What it produces

A prioritized list of ideas, ranked by the number of votes received.

Origin

Adapted from Dotmocracy.org — source

Build a session around Dotmocracy / Dot Voting

METODIC places Dotmocracy / Dot Voting inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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