The Delphi Decision Maker is a module created in Sahana Eden. It supports the decision making process of large groups of crisis experts during extreme events. The real-time system takes many individual decision makers ranked list of solutions to any give problem, and calculates a single group opinion by providing a visual scale for fast feedback.

1. The Delphi
Decis ion Maker
Real-Time Decis ion S upport for Large Groups of
C ris is E xperts
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2. In an extreme event or major disaster, very often there are both
alternative actions that might be considered and far more requests for
actions than can be executed immediately. The relative desirability of
each option for action could be a collaborative expression of a significant
number of emergency managers and experts trying to manage the most
desirable alternatives at any given time, in real time. The Delphi Decision
Maker can satisfy these needs given that anyone can vote or change their
vote on any options, and voting and scaling are used to promote a group
understanding.
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3. Tools Available

Problem Generator – a place for the facilitator to list problems

Solution Generator – group members can contribute to the
solution set – at any time during the process

Discussion Forum – each solution has it's own forum
discussion space

Voting – members can vote, change their vote and vote only on
the solutions they feel are worthy of consideration

Feedback Scale – a single group calculation representing the
group opinion
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4. Role S upport

Guests – can only view the problem, solutions
and scale

Members – can view the problem, add
solutions and vote

Facilitator – can create problems, add
solutions, and vote
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5. Problems are easily created requiring a Title along
with a description.
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6. S olutions are submitted by the users which can then
be discussed and ranked from best to worst.
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7. Forum Dis cus s ion is available for every
solution offered.
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8. Voting – members can vote on only the items they
feel are worthy, they can change their vote.
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9. Drag and Drop to rank your Lis t
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10. Once complete, S ave Vote and IF
you change your mind later, vote
again & again
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11. S cale of G roup Opinion is offered as a
feedback mechanism. This reflects the group's opinion at
any one moment in time.
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12. Even when all experts in a group may not be able to participate at the
moment, or some may be unqualified to vote on a particular matter,
nonetheless, a decision must be made. This system is conducive for
decision making given the worst of conditions, utilizing the information as
well as the experts to their fullest capacity. In a disaster, it may appear
that there are only poor selections after such a tragic event has occurred.
However, a best decision must still be made, thus minimizing potential
future damages and hence, maximizing the best obtainable outcome for
the challenges that lay ahead. A dynamic Delphi system will support real
time decision making for virtual groups working in a changing
environment. The Internet provides opportunity and lessens previous
geographic boundaries to a great extent. The system is available online
and is accessible anywhere there is Internet connectivity and a browser.
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13. Demo Site & Sandbox: http://delphi.sahanafoundation.org/
eBook Free Available on Amazon
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