Role-based decision¶

With a role-based decision, one person makes an autonomous choice from within their defined role — without a vote and without consulting others. The decision is documented in Rhizome to ensure transparency and traceability.

How it works in Rhizome¶

When creating a role-based decision, you first choose who decides:

The nomination round is particularly useful when it is unclear who the right person is, or when explicit shared agreement on the decision-maker strengthens the legitimacy of the decision.

Making the decision¶

The designated person decides entirely independently. They document their decision with a written description in Rhizome. Once recorded, the decision is finalized and visible to all participants.

A role-based decision is always made from a role — the decision-maker is understood to have the authority, responsibility, and ideally the expertise required by their position in the organization. Rhizome makes this visible and traceable.

Feedback¶

By default, feedback is enabled for role-based decisions. After the decision is finalized, a comment thread opens below it, allowing other participants to respond. Since others have no say in the decision itself, this creates a transparent channel for reactions and follow-up.

Use cases¶

Role-based decisions document how authority is exercised in organizations where responsibilities are clearly defined — including self-organized, circle-based structures. The mode is not about bypassing participation; it is about making the exercise of delegated authority visible and accountable.

Use role-based decisions when:

• A decision clearly falls within one person's area of responsibility
• Speed matters and group deliberation would add little value
• The organization wants to document decisions made from a role, even without a group process

If consulting others before deciding would be valuable, consider consultation instead.