Gradients of Agreement • WorkshopBank
Gradients of Agreement is a decision-support tool that replaces binary yes/no voting with a numbered scale, typically eight points, that lets every group member express their true level of support for a proposal.
How to run it
- Draw the Gradients of Agreement scale on a flip chart or whiteboard large enough for everyone to see. Number the scale 1 through 8 with these labels:
- : Agreement with a Minor Point of Contention
- Write the proposal clearly on a separate flip chart. The wording matters. A vague proposal produces scattered results that tell you nothing useful.
- If using numbered cards, prepare a set of cards numbered 1-8 for each participant.
- Decide in advance (or with the group) what threshold of agreement is needed for this particular decision. Not every decision needs wholehearted endorsement.
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Prompts to use +
Draw the Gradients of Agreement scale on a flip chart or whiteboard large enough for everyone to see. Number the scale 1 through 8 with these labels:
Write the proposal clearly on a separate flip chart. The wording matters. A vague proposal produces scattered results that tell you nothing useful.
If using numbered cards, prepare a set of cards numbered 1-8 for each participant.
Decide in advance (or with the group) what threshold of agreement is needed for this particular decision. Not every decision needs wholehearted endorsement.
Run this with your AI assistant +
Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.
Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: Gradients of Agreement • WorkshopBank. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Draw the Gradients of Agreement scale on a flip chart or whiteboard large enough for everyone to see. Number the scale 1 through 8 with these labels:; Write the proposal clearly on a separate flip chart. The wording matters. A vague proposal produces scattered results that tell you nothing useful.; If using numbered cards, prepare a set of cards numbered 1-8 for each participant.; Decide in advance (or with the group) what threshold of agreement is needed for this particular decision. Not every decision needs wholehearted endorsement.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.
Origin unverified
- Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from WorkshopBank; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including WorkshopBank.)
- What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
- No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
- Method lineage: this exercise shares its method name with work attributed to Sam Kaner in our people index. That is a name match, not an origin claim.
- Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.