The Handbook of Handbooks for Decentralised Organising

A comprehensive resource for decentralized organization, featuring a curated collection of handbooks, guides, and toolkits designed for non-hierarchical groups, social movements, and open-source projects. It serves as a living document that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing.

https://hackmd.io/@yHk1snI9T9SNpiFu2o17oA/Skh_dXNbE

Summary of the Article

The Handbook of Handbooks for Decentralised Organising is a curated compendium of resources tailored for groups and organizations adopting decentralized and non-hierarchical management structures. This document is particularly valuable for collectives, grassroots movements, cooperatives, open-source initiatives, and workplace environments aiming to function without a top-down management style.

Compiled by Richard Bartlett, a co-founder of Enspiral and advocate of decentralized methods, this resource acts as both a reference and an invitation for collaboration. It includes handbooks from diverse fields, showcasing practical approaches to decision-making, facilitation, and governance in flat organizational structures.

For more information, check out Patterns for Decentralized Organizing.

Key Highlights:

• Living Document: Open for community contributions, reflecting the decentralized ethos by allowing updates and shared insights.
• Broad Applications: Suitable for contexts ranging from social movements, cooperatives, startups, to large organizations transitioning to decentralized models.
• Accessibility: All handbooks and tools are freely available for anyone to adapt and share.

Structure of the Article:

The article is presented as an interactive HackMD page, offering links to handbooks grouped by thematic relevance. Some prominent themes include:

• Decision-making: Guides for consensus and collaborative decision models.
• Conflict resolution: Techniques for addressing challenges in a decentralized setup.
• Facilitation tools: Resources for leading productive and inclusive discussions.
• Governance models: Frameworks for equitable and sustainable organizational structures.

Links

Permanent Organizations (Workplaces, Businesses, NGOs)

1. Enspiral Handbook – Explains how Loomio, part of the Enspiral network, self-governs with 200+ people.
2. Crisp DNA – Handbook for a self-organizing company of 35+ consultants with innovative practices in money and ownership.
3. Gini Handbook – Covers decision-making, communication skills, personal growth, and feedback in a German tech company.
4. GitLab Handbook – A resource for remote teams with 800+ staff across 50+ countries.
5. OuiShare Handbook – Structures and practices for the distributed OuiShare network.
6. Hanno Playbook – Documentation about internal operations of an 8-person design team.
7. Software Mill Handbook – Focuses on decision-making and communication in a remote team of 50+ people.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous Manual – A guide from an 80-year-old decentralized organization.
9. Tao of the IETF – Principles of open, voluntary, self-organizing processes in Internet governance.
10. Women’s Center for Creative Work Handbook – Details operational insights from a feminist organization.
11. Public Interest Research Center Transition Story – Explores their shift to a flat organizational structure.
12. Social Justice Waging System by Platform – Innovative wage structure details from an arts and research organization.
13. How to Start a Tool Lending Library – Toolkit for creating lending libraries globally.
14. Transition Towns' Essential Guide – Multilingual resources for community transitions.
15. Valve Employee Handbook – A guide from a software company operating without bosses.
16. Edgeryders Collaboration Principles – Operational guidelines for a think tank and mutual aid network.
17. The Borderland Processes – Dream Prototyping and Advice Process for organizing collaborative events.
18. Outseta Operating Agreement – Public documentation of self-management practices in a SaaS company.
19. 350 Seattle Structure Resources – Resources for campaigning organizations.
20. Open Coop Governance Model – A governance model used by Guerilla Translation.
21. DisCO Co-op Manifesto – Detailed framework for distributed cooperative organizations.
22. Spotify Agile Model – Explanation of their tribe and squad coordination.
23. Bridge Foundry Workshop Guides – Resources for organizing free programming workshops.
24. Camplight Internal Guidelines – Stories and policies from a digital cooperative.
25. Root Systems – Tech consulting and software development within Enspiral.
26. NeurodiVenture Operating Model – Framework for inclusive, non-hierarchical organizations.
27. Datopian Culture Handbook – Unique insights into a small digital company’s culture.
28. CPI Playbook – Collaborative governance resources.
29. Hypha Worker Co-op Handbook – Guidance from a co-op focused on technology redesign.
30. dOrg Handbook – Blockchain development collective’s self-management principles.

Temporary Organizations (Campaigns, Events)

31. Barcelona en Comú Guide – A guide for grassroots political activism.
32. How We Organize the Allied Media Conference – Methodology for decentralized conference organizing.
33. Repair Café Handbook – Instructions for setting up local repair community.
34. TEDx Organizer's Guide – Tools for TEDx event organizers.
35. Awesome Foundation Wiki – Resources for autonomous micro-granting groups.
36. Food Not Bombs Chapter Toolkit – Guidelines for decentralized food-sharing groups.
37. Cosecha Movement – Transparent organizing strategy for US immigrants.
38. Swarmwise by Rick Falkvinge – Tactical organizing manual from the Pirate Party founder.
39. Ouishare Fest Toolkit – Guide to participatory festival organization.
40. Extinction Rebellion UK Self-Organizing Guide – Handbook for decentralized activism.

Generalised Lessons: Toolkits, Books, Etc.

1. Better Work Together – Stories and tools from Enspiral, a network of self-managing social enterprises.
2. The Toolbox Toolbox – Curated list of analogue and digital tools and methods from various organizations.
3. Re-humanizing the Workplace – Explores distributed decision-making tools in the Participation Age by Chuck Blakeman.
4. Reinventing Organizations – Frederic Laloux’s influential book on operating without centralized management systems, with an accompanying wiki.
5. Insights for the Journey – Video series complementing the Reinventing Organizations book.
6. Rebuild: The Economy, Leadership, and You – Toolkit for better world-building, integrating economics, leadership, and developmental practices.
7. Going Horizontal – Practices by Samantha Slade for flattening organizational hierarchies.
8. Responsive Org Playbook – Combines Holacracy, Lean, Agile, and Design Thinking into actionable templates.
9. 12 Principles for Prototyping a Feminist Business – Framework for creating equitable and inclusive organizations.
10. Remote Only Manifesto – Advocates for companies without a central office.
11. Remote Starter Kit – Tools for supporting remote collaboration.
12. Atlassian Team Playbook – Toolkit for self-managed teams by the makers of Trello.
13. Self-Managing Organizations Research Paper – By Amy C. Edmondson and Michael Y. Lee, exploring less-hierarchical structures.
14. Teaming – Amy C. Edmondson’s book on how teams learn, innovate, and compete.
15. Google's Team Effectiveness Guide – Framework emphasizing psychological safety, dependability, and impact.
16. OS Canvas by The Ready – Tool for mapping and planning organizational change.
17. Why Employees Are Always a Bad Idea – Business insights from Chuck Blakeman on the Participation Age.
18. HyperIsland Toolbox – Toolkit for collaboration and innovation.
19. Liberating Structures – 33 meeting formats fostering inclusion and creativity.
20. The Future of Work is Human – Practices for holistic learning and innovation.
21. Core Protocols for Effective Communication – Framework for fostering team collaboration.
22. Beyond Empowerment – Doug Kirkpatrick’s book on self-managed organizations like Morningstar.
23. One from Many – Dee Hock’s insights from founding VISA.
24. Joy at Work – Dennis Bakke introduces the Advice Process.
25. Eckart's Notes by Wintzen – Insights from the Dutch pioneer of sustainable systems thinking.
26. La Belle Histoire de FAVI by Zobrist – French case study of a lean, people-focused organization.
27. The Second Cycle by Lars Kolind – Guide on renewal cycles in organizations.
28. Maverick by Ricardo Semler – Semler’s story of radical management practices.
29. Team of Teams – General Stanley McChrystal’s insights on networked management in urban warfare.
30. A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach to Building a Great Business – Series by Ari Weinzweig about running Zingerman’s Community of Businesses.
31. The Haier Model – Organizational case study of Haier’s self-management system.
32. Freedom, Inc. – Book by Brian Carney and Isaac Getz.
33. Future of Management – Gary Hamel explores innovative organizational strategies.
34. The Holacracy Constitution 4.1 – Holacracy’s governance rules.
35. Greater Than's Guide to Collaborative Funding – Resources for decentralized funding models.
36. The Decider App – Tool comparing group decision-making methods.
37. Brave New Work – Aaron Dignan’s guide to changing organizational systems.
38. Remodel Toolkit – Free toolkit for new business models inspired by open-source principles.
39. Transformative Scenario Planning – By Adam Kahane, on cocreation in nonprofits and philanthropy.
40. Autonomist Leadership Framework – Explains leadership in emancipatory social movements.
41. BOSSA nova – Integrating Beyond Budgeting, Open Space, and Sociocracy for agility.
42. Inviting Leadership – Invitation-based change for modern organizations.
43. Open Space Beta – Simplified beta transformation approach.
44. Team Tempo by NOBL Collective – Book and resources on team performance.
45. Prototyping.Work – Collaborative platform for reinventing work practices.
46. Reinventing Work Resources Guide – Articles, videos, podcasts, and tools for self-managed workplaces.
47. Advice Process Playbook – Decision-making guidance for teams.
48. Membership Puzzle Project – Insights on membership-based organizations.
49. Turn the Ship Around! – L. David Marquet’s book on servant leadership.
50. Peerdom Showcase – Organizational design maps from transformational journeys.
51. Future Togetherness Handbook – Practices for community resilience and collaboration.
52. Reinvent Organization Map – Assessment tool for teal organizations.
53. Planet Centric Design Toolkit – Tools for creating responsible and sustainable products.
54. Community Building Canvas – Resource for designing community-oriented organizations.

More Community-Focused Resources

1. The Empowerment Manual – Starhawk’s guide for collaborative groups, focusing on empowerment and ecofeminism.
2. New Economy Organisers Network Toolkit – Resources for activists, campaigners, and organizers.
3. Code for Canada Civic Tech Community Organizer Toolkit – Advice for starting, sustaining, and growing civic tech groups.
4. Post Consensus Cooperative Decision-making – Doug Webb’s slideshow exploring alternatives to consensus.
5. Rules for Radicals – Saul D. Alinsky’s classic book on movement building.
6. Horizontalism – Oral history of popular power movements in Argentina, compiled by Marina Sitrin.
7. Patterns for Decentralised Organising – A book offering frameworks for non-hierarchical systems.
8. Emergent Strategy – adrienne maree brown’s transformative guide for shaping desired futures.
9. The Tyranny of Structurelessness – Jo Freeman’s essay on the pitfalls of unstructured organizing.
10. Beautiful Trouble – Tactics for nonviolent direct action.
11. 350.org Training Resources – Training materials for grassroots climate organizers.
12. Networked Change Report – Insights into 47 successful advocacy campaigns.
13. Campaign Bootcamp Resources – Practical guides for campaigners.
14. Jackson Rising – Chronicle of grassroots economic transformation in Jackson, Mississippi.
15. Earth First! Direct Action Manual – Handbook for grassroots environmental activism.
16. Email Etiquette for Virtual Collectives – Guide to communication in online collectives.
17. Sociocracy 3.0 – Open guide for consent-based, resilient organizations.
18. Distributed Organizing Guide – Toolkit for campaigners using distributed models.
19. Mobilisation Lab Resources – Online courses, articles, and guides for campaigners.
20. How to Welcome & Engage People in Community Spaces – Advice by Danny Spitzberg on fostering inclusive community.
21. Skessa Toolkit – Resources for diverse and inclusive organizations.
22. Art of Hosting – Practices for participatory leadership and hosting conversations.
23. The Viable System Model – Framework for designing healthy business systems.
24. Many Voices One Song – Sociocracy for All’s introduction to consent-based governance.
25. The Essentials of Theory U – Otto Scharmer’s guide to transformational leadership.
26. It’s Vacant, Take It! – Zine offering guidance for squatting and community reclaiming.
27. How to Organize a Pirate Kindergarten – Manual for collective parenting and care.
28. Patterns for Cooperative Networks – Frameworks for association structures.
29. P2P Foundation Wiki – Repository of peer-to-peer practices.
30. Nesta Collective Intelligence Design Playbook – Methods for leveraging people, data, and technology.
31. Recipes for Wellbeing – Collection of practices for cultivating individual and team wellbeing.
32. CommunityRule – Governance templates for community-building.
33. Wise Democracy Patterns – Principles for collective wisdom and systems thinking.
34. Planning from Below – Marta Harnecker’s guide to decentralized participatory planning.

Legal

1. The Do-Ocracy Handbook – Explores organizational types and legal structures, with a UK focus, by Mark Simmonds.
2. Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC) – Resources for creating ethical and sustainable legal structures.
3. Purpose Economy Steward Ownership Model – Stewardship ownership examples like Sharetribe.
4. FairShares Model – Articles on multi-stakeholder limited companies, co-ops, and associations.
5. FairShares Commons Extension – Expanded FairShares model for regenerative ecosystems.

Trainers

1. The Hum – Practical guidance for decentralized organizations, led by Richard Bartlett.
2. AORTA (Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Alliance) – Co-op supporting grassroots and social justice groups.
3. Ayni Institute – Training for social movement organizers, featuring the Momentum Webinar Series and SWARM Training.
4. Momentum – Tools for building decentralized social movements.
5. Ulex Project – Residential training center in Catalunya offering integral activist training.
6. Organisational Misbehaviourists – Trainers focusing on psychological safety and collective wisdom.
7. PowerLabs – Campaign training resources for grassroots groups.
8. RAD.cat (Research Action Design) – Uses community-led research and secure digital strategies for grassroots power.
9. NetChange – Trainers for distributed organizing campaigns.
10. Tripod Training – Support for groups through facilitation, mediation, and training.
11. Round Sky Solutions – Worker-owned co-op offering collaborative governance training.
12. Evolutesix – Programs for startups and established organizations deploying integrated legal and developmental practices.
13. Effective Collective – Kavana Tree Bressen’s facilitation and training resources for horizontal power structures.

Related Concepts

• Coordination - Mechanisms for decentralized organizing
• Governance - Decision-making in decentralized contexts
• DAOs - Organizations using these organizing approaches
• Teams - Small groups coordinating decentrally
• Collaboration - Collective work patterns