The Modified Borda Count
Achieving Consensus About Which Options to Pursue
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Use the Modified Borda Count method to score options and reach a common consensus.
Imagine that you're on the board of directors at a charity and you're selecting projects to run in the coming year. But people don't share the same priorities, and tempers are beginning to fray.
There are lots of causes to choose from and they vary in scope and field. Some board members are passionate about one particular project that they'd like to see in action, others have a couple of favorites, and a few are undecided.
In situations like this, you need an organized, fair way for your group to share information, offer opinions, arrive at a consensus, and make the best decision for the organization.
In this article, we'll explore the Modified Borda Count (MBC) and look at how you can use it to make group decisions. We'll also look at the advantages and disadvantages of using the MBC in team decision making.
Tip:
For more information on group decision making, including whether to make a decision as a group or on your own, see our articles on The Vroom-Yetton-Jago Decision Model, The Hoy-Tarter Model of Decision Making, The Stepladder Technique, and Multi-Voting.
What Is the Modified Borda Count?
The Modified Borda Count is a version of the Borda Count – a voting system that asks everyone who is making a decision to rank their options in order of preference.
They award their least preferred option one point, their second least popular two points, and so on, with their most preferred option receiving the maximum number of points. The choice with the most points is the winner.
The Modified Borda Count is a useful tool in team decision making....
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