Which statement about 'decision conferencing' is FALSE?

Question

Options

• ASenior management debate and agree the scores/ratings for each initiative
• BThe Board approve a prioritized listing developed by the Portfolio Office
• CA facilitator can help to ensure that a consensus is reached
• DIt can result in greater commitment by senior management to the portfolio

• A
  5% (3)
• B
  80% (47)
• C
  3% (2)
• D
  12% (7)

Explanation

Option B is false because decision conferencing is specifically designed so that senior management actively develop the prioritized listing themselves through debate and consensus - the Portfolio Office does not produce a finished list for the Board to merely rubber-stamp. The entire value of the technique lies in the collaborative scoring and ranking happening within the conference.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A is true - debating and agreeing scores/ratings for each initiative is the core activity of decision conferencing.
• C is true - a skilled facilitator is a recognized (and recommended) component of the process to guide discussion and help the group converge.
• D is true - because senior managers participate in building the prioritization themselves, they gain ownership of the outcome, leading to stronger buy-in and commitment.

Memory tip: Think of decision conferencing as "hands-on, not hands-off." The danger phrase in B is "developed by the Portfolio Office" - if someone else already did the work and management just signs off, there's no conference. Whenever an answer shifts the decision-making away from the senior group, it contradicts the method's purpose.

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