{"id":1290,"date":"2013-01-24T04:45:37","date_gmt":"2013-01-24T09:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/facilitativeleadership.wordpress.com\/?p=1290"},"modified":"2026-04-21T14:01:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:01:49","slug":"pros-and-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Facilitate Decision-Making Using Pros and Cons"},"content":{"rendered":"

First, here is the traditional\u00a0Pros and Cons\u00a0method according to its creator, Benjamin Franklin:<\/h2>\n
\"How<\/a>

How to Facilitate Group or Team Decisions Using Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cFor pros and cons, my way is to divide half a sheet of paper by a line into two columns; writing over the one pro, and over the other con; then during three or four days’ consideration, I put down under the different heads short hints of the different motives, that at different times occur to me. for or against the measure. When I have thus got them all together,\u00a0in one view, I endeavor to estimate their respective weights; and, where I find two (one on each side) that seem equal, I strike them both out. If I find a reason pro equal to some two reasons con, I strike out the three. <\/span><\/p>\n

He Continues . . .<\/span><\/h3>\n

If I judge some two reasons, con equal to three reasons pro, I strike out the five; and thus proceeding I find at length where the balance lies; and if, after a day or two of farther consideration, nothing new that is of importance occurs on either side, I come to a determination accordingly. Though the weight of reasons cannot be taken with the precision of algebraic quantities, yet, when each is thus considered separately and comparatively, and the whole lies before me, I think I can judge better and am less likely to make a rash step; and in fact I have found great advantage from this kind of equation, in what may be called moral or prudential algebra.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Modern Franklin Pros and Cons<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

This updated Pros and Cons tool supports decision-making for a group of people. Use it as a proxy for Benjamin Franklin\u2019s Pros and Cons method. His approach is better suited for an individual than a group of people. Especially with controversial issues, it is always helpful to consider multiple points of view.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Method for\u00a0<\/b>Modern Franklin Pros and Cons<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

To safely argue a controversial issue, carefully (and with advanced forethought about the options for either a homogeneous, heterogeneous, or hybrid blend of teams) separate your participants into three teams: Affirmative, Dismissive, and Observer. Give the affirmative and dismissive teams every fifteen minutes to develop their arguments, respectively supporting or refuting the issue. The observer team drafts criteria by which it may evaluate and assess the issue. Have the teams present their arguments to the observer team formally\u2014as if it were a debate or court of law. Next . . .<\/span><\/p>\n