The Decision Hedgehog – Case study on Collaborative Authoring of Outcomes : “ Project Dreams and Reality ”

This paper draws on analysis of a variety of problems emerging from practical applications of Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) to propose a fundamental evolution of decision support models from the traditional single decision-spine model, focusing on a single proceduralised context to the decision-hedgehog. It positions decision making through the construction of narratives making the rhizome that constitutes the body of the hedgehog with the fundamental aim of enriching contextual knowledge for decision making. Localised processes developing proceduralised contexts for constructing and exploring prescriptions for action within a plethora of decision spines are rooted in this rhizome. It identifies a synthesis of theories that influence decision-making within organizations and proposes a comprehensive system of Group Decision Authoring and Communication Support (GDACS). In doing so it proposes that the iterative development of collective narrative within an organising system engaged with complex decision making leads to active engagement with implementation – a process we call Collaborative Authoring of Outcomes.