Governance & DEI · Decision Architecture

Governance Spectrum
& Decision Matrix

Who decides what, how, and in what governance mode. Map your top 10 decisions, audit the gap between current and ideal, and assign Starhawk's 8 informal roles. Based on CBA Tier 3 relational architecture.

Governance Spectrum Reference

Autocratic

One person decides. Fast. Best for crisis, legally-bound, or irreversibly high-stakes calls.

Consultative

Input gathered, but one person holds final call. Best for strategic direction with broad impact.

Consent / Sociocratic

Decision passes unless there is a reasoned objection. "Safe enough to try." Best for policy and process.

Consensus

All must actively agree. Deepest buy-in, slowest speed. Best for foundational values or constitutional decisions.

Delegated

Authority handed to a role or circle. Best for domain-specific decisions where expertise lives at the edge.

Decision Architecture Audit

List your team's most important decisions. For each: who currently decides, what governance mode is used, and what mode would better serve the decision's nature.

Decision Who Decides Now Current Mode Ideal Mode Starhawk Role

Starhawk 8 Informal Roles

Every team has these roles, whether named or not. Assigning them intentionally prevents shadow dynamics.

Visionary

Organiser

Nurturer

Truth-Teller

Historian

Edge-Walker

Coyote/Trickster

Scapegoat