mESA: a Model for Collective Decision Making

Conscious decision making requires deep understanding of (1) the problem, (2) the context framing the problem, (3) the available options, (4) the perceived future resulting from each alternative and, of course, (5) the preferred future. As world becomes more complex and problems more open ended, these pieces of knowledge tend to be spread through several individuals. Finding, collecting, filtering and synthesizing relevant and trustworthy knowledge to understand and solve problems have become big research challenge. In this paper we present the mESA model for collective decision making based on an iterative and interactive process of gathering information and experts, synthesizing knowledge and then questioning hypotheses and expanding discussion. The model was created to support the receipt and processing of a large number of submissions (demands, questions, issues or responses), automatically processing participants ́ contributions, clustering knowledge, assisting small groups to interpret clustered information to either produced better informed decisions or guide issues to be further discussed, in a cyclic process. This model was successfully instantiated in mGov, a system for eliciting citizen demands in a participatory government structure. We also discuss how mESA model is a good metaphor to collective problem solving and decision making in participative organizations, that is our next item in our research agenda. Author