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What They Say...

"I had been consistently astounded by the way in which their methods for the visualization and clarification of reasoning processes enables one to impose order on chaos and see what is really going on in complex, contentious and tangled debates..."
- Dr Neil Byron, former Commissioner, Productivity Commission

"They are making a significant contribution to the improvement of analytical standards in the public policy arena, particularly among young professionals. Austhink deserves the country's thanks for this."
- Ross Babbage, Founder, Kokoda Foundation

 "Austhink's methods for dissecting and clarifying complex pieces of analysis or public policy are first class."
- LTGEN (ret) Peter Leahy, former Chief of Army

"That Austhink has devised new methods for doing this is enormously to its credit and I only hope more businesses will start to adopt such methods. It will save an immense amount of money, time and frustration for them."
- Bruce Page, Energy Consultant  

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Clarity and Consensus

Austhink provides facilitation using visual deliberation to assist groups achieve

  • conceptual clarity
  • shared understanding, and 
  • rational consensus 

in complex deliberative challenges. 

In particular, we can help groups escape what we call the "logical bog." This is a situation where a group must deal with a major issue but is bogged down in seemingly irresolvable disagreements and disputes.   The team flounders with the issue for months or even years, unable to achieve the clarity and consensus needed to move forward.  

Logical bogs are surprisingly common in large organisations.  

Using visual deliberation, Austhink consultants work with your team to articulate and resolve the issues and arguments.  

Example – Corporate Strategic Planning

How should a company respond to the changing commercial environment?  What are the best opportunities and what is the best way to exploit those opportunities?  Using decision mapping, Austhink assisted a team from a major utility to obtain a clear overview of their situation, resolve some key differences, and plot a course for continued detailed investigation. Testimonial

Example – Government policy review

A government department was reviewing its policy of committing substantial resources on an ongoing basis to certain activities.  Austhink facilitation enabled the team to understand that the arguments for continuing the policy were all based on hidden assumptions which were false or dubious.  The exercise gave them a clarity about the issues and arguments, and priorities for further research, which they had not been able to attain using their standard policy review procedures.