Purpose
The method helps clarify group inputs, selection, and decisions concretely. It creates visible choices from individual contributions. The result is captured as Problem Cluster, Prioritized Challenge, and Experiment.
Facilitation
Decision Jam
Turns group inputs, selection, and decision-making into a tangible result by collecting problems silently, clustering and prioritizing, and choosing experiments.
Which problem is most important right now, and which concrete first step changes it in the next 14 days?
LowWorkshop60-90 min
How it works
The team follows the steps: collect problems silently, cluster and prioritize, reframe the top challenge, generate solution ideas, and choose experiments. Each step is captured visibly. In the end, a Problem Cluster, Prioritized Challenge, and Experiment are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.
Visual orientation
Method sketch for a quick mental model.
Flow
- 1Collect problems silently
- 2Cluster and prioritize
- 3Reframe the top challenge
- 4Generate solution ideas
- 5Choose experiments
The runsheet guides execution with 6 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open runsheetIdeal for
- Team Alignment
- Workshop Convergence
- Problem Framing
Not good for
- Deep research synthesis
- Decisions with high compliance risk
Deep dive
In detail
Decision Jam follows a clear working logic: collect problems silently, cluster and prioritize, reframe the top challenge, generate solution ideas, and choose experiments. This turns the method into a visible thinking process instead of only a conversation. The participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options to a shared structure. As a result, a Problem Cluster, Prioritized Challenge, and Experiment support decisions, learning, and further planning.
Facilitation
Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 60 to 90 minutes with 4 to 10 people and run it in a facilitated workshop. The facilitation stays lightweight; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions are helpful.
Output artifacts
Problem ClusterPrioritized ChallengeExperiment
Artifact templates
Decision Jam Working TemplateCompact working template for Decision Jam with problem framing, solution ideas, voting, and next action.markdown
Decision Jam Working TemplateCompact working template for Decision Jam with problem framing, solution ideas, voting, and next action.
markdowndecision-jam-working-template.md
Compact working template for Decision Jam with problem framing, solution ideas, voting, and next action.
Decision Jam Working Template
Goal
Turn a stuck decision into a clear choice through framing, divergence, and convergence.
Context
What decision is stuck, and what outcome should the group reach?
Input
- Decision question:
- Constraints:
- Stakeholders:
- Evidence or observations:
Working area
- Problem framing:
- How might we questions:
- Solution ideas:
- Criteria:
- Voting or selection:
Output artifacts
- Shortlisted options:
- Decision note:
- Next action:
Open questions
- ...
Decision / next step
Owner, date, and success signal.
When to choose differently
Short decision aid for existing alternatives.
Consensus Workshop
Statt Decision Jam, wenn ihr eine belastbare gemeinsame Position braucht und die Gruppe wirklich mitnehmen wollt.
Similar methods
All methodsFacilitation
Question Burst
Clarifies group input, selection, and decision-making by framing the challenge, collecting questions only, and deriving new insights and next steps.
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Consensus Workshop
Turns group contributions, selection, and decision-making into a tangible result by asking a focus question, collecting ideas individually, and formulating consensus themes.
Statt Decision Jam, wenn ihr eine belastbare gemeinsame Position braucht und die Gruppe wirklich mitnehmen wollt.
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Six Thinking Hats
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Lean Coffee
Turns group contributions, selection, and decisions into a tangible result by collecting topics, clustering and voting on them, and documenting actions.
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Problem Framing Workshop
Turns group input, selection, and decision into a tangible result by collecting the starting situation, clarifying affected people and impacts, and choosing a shared working definition.