共识决策法是指一种决策过程，不仅追求参与者的多数的同意，而且还解决和减轻少数人的反对以达成最多同意的决策。共识通常被定义为以下含义：

共识决策法因此主要关注这个过程。

该方法试图消弱派别或党派的作用，并提升个人意见的表达。通过并列不同的意见，该方法也增加了不可预测或创新方案出现的的可能性。该方法寻求最小的反对意见，因此该方法在志愿者组织中非常流行，在志愿者组织中，决策只有取得最广泛的认可，才更有希望被贯彻运行。当决策的强制运行难以实施时，就希望采用共识决策法，这样每一个参与者将被要求对决策施加影响。

Consensus decision-making is a group decision-making process in which group members develop, and agree to support, a decision in the best interest of the whole. Consensus may be defined professionally as an acceptable resolution, one that can be supported, even if not the "favourite" of each individual. Consensus is defined by Merriam-Webster as, first, general agreement, and second, group solidarity of belief or sentiment. It has its origin in the Latin word cōnsēnsus (agreement), which is from cōnsentiō meaning literally feel together. It is used to describe both the decision and the process of reaching a decision. Consensus decision-making is thus concerned with the process of deliberating and finalizing a decision, and the social, economic, legal, environmental and political effects of using this process.