Structured Decision Making Services & Consulting

Make high-stakes choices with greater clarity, alignment, and confidence. IdeaGuides provides Structured Decision Making Services & Consulting that help leadership teams, departments, and cross-functional groups define challenges, compare options, build consensus, and leave with clear decisions and actionable next steps through expert facilitation, training, and collaborative process design.

Structured decision making workshop

Our Structured Decision Making Services

Facilitation, training, retreats, and ideation services that turn complex group decisions into actionable outcomes.

Decision Facilitation

Expert facilitators guide teams through collaborative problem-solving and decision-making processes using CPS, SPRINT, and the Aha! approach to ensure participation, clarity, viable solutions, and documented decisions.

Decision Training

Interactive workshops teach practical tools for individual and group problem solving, including gap analysis and decision-making analysis, so teams can approach complex choices with structure and confidence.

Strategic Planning

Facilitators lead leadership teams through mission, values, current-state analysis, visioning, goal setting, and tactics to produce a clear strategic plan aligned around future action.

Executive Retreats

Customized executive retreats support strategic planning, decision-making, problem-solving, team building, and conflict resolution through formats such as Open Space, Appreciative Inquiry, and tailored experiential activities.

Ideation Sessions

Highly interactive ideation sessions help groups generate ideas for products, services, marketing, and organizational challenges using brainstorming, brainwriting, force-field analysis, storyboarding, and action planning.

Solution Speedway

This fast-paced format helps participants bring individual challenges, sharpen the problem, and receive structured input from peers, making it ideal for focused groups needing quick solution momentum.

Facilitated team decision making process

Our Structured Decision Process

Define The Decision Together

We begin by clarifying the decision to be made, the people who need to be involved, the constraints, and the outcomes your organization needs. This creates a shared frame before options, opinions, or solutions take over the conversation.

Design The Right Process

Facilitate Focused Group Work

Evaluate Options And Align

Document Actionable Outcomes

Trusted By Teams

Success Stories

Organizations trust IdeaGuides to create alignment, participation, and productive decisions when outcomes matter most.

"Our management group came together around a shared vision. We are currently integrating two companies into one. This meeting helped to reduce the we/them and increase the us. Optimism, increased teamwork and confidence in the direction of the company. Top-Three- I would recommend this service. The tools and methodology the..."

Paul Fry

"I have been to countless workshops on team building. However, yours was without a question one of the best I have ever participated in. Your exercises were user-friendly, fun to do, and most importantly, truly served their educational purposes...Furthermore, I felt that your group facilitation skills were among the best..."

Deborah

"I recommend IdeaGuides wholeheartedly"

Mike Faith

"Really energizing session, got all of the objectives we were aiming for, better participant engagement than I expected"

Immy Sinclear

"I am getting great feedback from staff who are using the tools they received during the training. Many staff informed me that after leaving the class they immediately utilized what they learned to deal with upset or confused citizens. The class was great and we may need your services again..."

Sandra Smith

"Our management group came together around a shared vision. We are currently integrating two companies into one. This meeting helped to reduce the we/them and increase the us. Optimism, increased teamwork and confidence in the direction of the company. Top-Three- I would recommend this service. The tools and methodology the..."

Paul Fry

"I have been to countless workshops on team building. However, yours was without a question one of the best I have ever participated in. Your exercises were user-friendly, fun to do, and most importantly, truly served their educational purposes...Furthermore, I felt that your group facilitation skills were among the best..."

Deborah

"I recommend IdeaGuides wholeheartedly"

Mike Faith

"Really energizing session, got all of the objectives we were aiming for, better participant engagement than I expected"

Immy Sinclear

"I am getting great feedback from staff who are using the tools they received during the training. Many staff informed me that after leaving the class they immediately utilized what they learned to deal with upset or confused citizens. The class was great and we may need your services again..."

Sandra Smith

"Our management group came together around a shared vision. We are currently integrating two companies into one. This meeting helped to reduce the we/them and increase the us. Optimism, increased teamwork and confidence in the direction of the company. Top-Three- I would recommend this service. The tools and methodology the..."

Paul Fry

"I have been to countless workshops on team building. However, yours was without a question one of the best I have ever participated in. Your exercises were user-friendly, fun to do, and most importantly, truly served their educational purposes...Furthermore, I felt that your group facilitation skills were among the best..."

Deborah

"I recommend IdeaGuides wholeheartedly"

Mike Faith

"Really energizing session, got all of the objectives we were aiming for, better participant engagement than I expected"

Immy Sinclear

"I am getting great feedback from staff who are using the tools they received during the training. Many staff informed me that after leaving the class they immediately utilized what they learned to deal with upset or confused citizens. The class was great and we may need your services again..."

Sandra Smith
The IdeaGuides Difference

Why Choose IdeaGuides?

IdeaGuides combines expert facilitation, creative structure, and practical decision tools.

Experience

Over 25 years guiding organizations through complex facilitation, planning, and decision challenges.

Credentials

Certified facilitators and IAF members bring professional standards to every engagement.

Participation

Sessions are designed so every voice is heard and commitment grows naturally.

Outcomes

You leave with clear decisions, documented outputs, and practical next steps.

Meet The IdeaGuides Team

Experienced facilitators guiding teams toward clearer decisions.

Portrait of Bruce E Honig, Chief Executive Facilitator and Master Trainer at IdeaGuides

Bruce E Honig

Chief Executive Facilitator & Master Trainer

Bruce E. Honig is the founder and Chief Executive Facilitator & Master Trainer at IdeaGuides, bringing over 25 years of professional facilitation and training experience to organizations across California and nationwide. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bruce leads the IdeaGuides team with a deep commitment to collaborative idea generation and productive decision-making. As a certified facilitator and member of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), he has guided more than 150 clients through strategic planning, team alignment, and innovation sessions. Bruce is also a prolific author, having written over five books on innovation, team building, and meetings, making him a recognized thought leader in the facilitation industry.

Portrait of Adam Shames, Master Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Adam Shames

Master Facilitator & Trainer

Adam Shames serves as a Master Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides, bringing deep expertise in team development, innovation, and collaborative group processes to clients across California and the nation. With a strong foundation in experiential learning and creative facilitation, Adam designs and leads highly engaging sessions that inspire teams to think differently and work more effectively together. He is the author of Teambreakers, a book focused on innovation and team building, reflecting his passion for helping organizations break through barriers and unlock their collective potential. Adam's facilitation style emphasizes participation, creativity, and practical outcomes that teams can immediately apply in the workplace.

Portrait of Michael Wong, Certified Facilitator at IdeaGuides

Michael Wong

Certified Facilitator

Michael Wong is a Certified Facilitator at IdeaGuides with a specialized focus on supporting non-profit organizations through facilitated meetings, strategic planning sessions, and collaborative decision-making processes. His understanding of the unique dynamics, missions, and challenges that non-profits face allows him to design sessions that are both deeply relevant and highly productive for these organizations. Michael brings professional rigor and genuine dedication to every engagement, helping non-profit teams build alignment, clarify goals, and move forward with confidence. As part of the experienced IdeaGuides team, Michael upholds the firm's core values of collaboration, involvement, and creativity in every session he leads.

Portrait of Jeanne-Marie Grumet, Senior Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Jeanne-Marie Grumet

Senior Facilitator & Trainer

Jeanne-Marie Grumet is a Senior Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides, contributing her extensive experience and professional expertise to help teams and organizations achieve greater alignment, engagement, and productivity. As a senior member of the IdeaGuides facilitation team, she brings a polished, skilled approach to strategic planning sessions, offsites, retreats, and team building workshops. Jeanne-Marie is committed to creating inclusive, participatory environments where every voice is heard and every participant contributes meaningfully to outcomes. Her work reflects IdeaGuides' mission of guiding clients toward collaborative and productive idea generation and decision-making across a wide variety of industries and organizational contexts.

Portrait of Alice Cochran, Expert Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Alice Cochran

Expert Facilitator & Trainer

Alice Cochran is an Expert Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides with a distinguished background in meeting facilitation and group process design. A published author of more than two books on meetings, Alice brings authoritative knowledge and practical wisdom to every session she facilitates. Her expertise helps organizations transform how they run meetings — making them more focused, efficient, and results-oriented. Alice's facilitation approach is grounded in best practices and years of hands-on experience guiding executive teams, senior leadership groups, and cross-functional teams toward clearer decisions and stronger collaboration. She is a trusted resource for organizations seeking to dramatically improve the quality and productivity of their group interactions.

Portrait of Ken Homer, Facilitator and Trainer at IdeaGuides

Ken Homer

Facilitator & Trainer

Ken Homer is a Facilitator & Trainer at IdeaGuides with specialized expertise in large group facilitation methodologies, including Open Space Technology and World Café. His deep knowledge of these powerful participatory approaches makes him an invaluable resource for organizations looking to engage large numbers of stakeholders in meaningful, self-organizing conversations that generate real insights and actionable outcomes. Ken's facilitation style is adaptive, inclusive, and highly effective at bringing out the collective intelligence of groups of all sizes. He works across a variety of sectors to help teams and communities explore complex challenges, build shared understanding, and move forward with clarity and commitment.

Portrait of Ray Madaghiele, Master Facilitator, Trainer and Coach at IdeaGuides

Ray Madaghiele

Master Facilitator, Trainer & Coach

Ray Madaghiele is a Master Facilitator, Trainer & Coach at IdeaGuides with deep expertise in strategic planning facilitation and organizational development. As the author of a book on strategic planning, Ray brings both scholarly depth and practical experience to his work with leadership teams, helping organizations clarify their vision, align around priorities, and build actionable roadmaps for the future. His coaching background adds an additional dimension to his facilitation, enabling him to support both group processes and individual leadership development simultaneously. Ray is known for his ability to guide organizations through complex strategic conversations with clarity, structure, and lasting impact.

Portrait of Dave Blum, Treasure Hunt Maven and Team Building Facilitator at IdeaGuides

Dave Blum

Treasure Hunt Maven & Team Building Facilitator

Dave Blum is IdeaGuides' Treasure Hunt Maven & Team Building Facilitator, bringing a uniquely creative and energizing approach to team engagement and collaboration. As the author of Dr. Clue Build-A-Treasure-Hunt, Dave is a recognized expert in using experiential treasure hunt activities to build team cohesion, communication, and camaraderie in a fun and memorable way. His programs are designed to break down silos, strengthen relationships, and foster the kind of trust and teamwork that translates directly back to the workplace. Dave's innovative facilitation style makes him a go-to resource for organizations looking for dynamic, out-of-the-ordinary team building experiences that deliver real results.

Portrait of Lee Gimpel, Master Facilitator at IdeaGuides

Lee Gimpel

Master Facilitator

Lee Gimpel is a Master Facilitator at IdeaGuides, bringing a high level of skill and professionalism to every meeting, workshop, and retreat he facilitates. With a command of advanced facilitation techniques, Lee helps teams and organizations move through complex discussions with focus and efficiency, ensuring that every session produces meaningful outcomes and that participants feel heard and engaged throughout the process. His work spans a wide range of industries and organizational contexts, from strategic planning and alignment sessions to innovation workshops and leadership offsites. Lee embodies IdeaGuides' commitment to guiding groups toward their best ideas and most important decisions with expertise and care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structured decision making process?

A structured decision making process helps a group move from uncertainty to action using a clear, facilitated sequence. It typically includes defining the decision, clarifying desired outcomes, gathering relevant information, generating options, evaluating tradeoffs, building agreement, and documenting next steps. IdeaGuides adapts this process for leadership teams, departments, retreats, and complex stakeholder groups.

What is an example of a structured decision?

When should an organization use structured decision making consulting?

How is decision making facilitation different from training?

How long does a structured decision making engagement take?

Can structured decision making be done remotely?

What deliverables should we expect after the session?

Who benefits most from structured decision making services?

Still Have Decision Questions?

Connect with IdeaGuides for practical guidance on your decision challenge.

Areas We Serve

IdeaGuides supports organizations nationwide with on-site, off-site, and remote facilitated decision-making services.

Nationwide

Service Area

On-Site & Remote

Delivery Options

150+ Clients

Client Reach

Do We Support Your Team?

Tell us where your team is located and how you prefer to meet.

Certified & Trusted

Awards and Recognition

International Association of Facilitators membership badge

IAF Member

Professional facilitation membership and standards affiliation.

Over 25 years experience badge

25+ Years

Established facilitation practice serving organizations since 1999.

250 projects completed recognition badge

250+ Projects

Proven record of complex facilitation engagements.

Ready To Make Better Decisions?

Share your decision challenge, timeline, group size, and goals. We will help recommend the right facilitated session, workshop, or consulting approach.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at 1.415.479.2028. You can also send us a quick email at bruce@IdeaGuides.com.