Participatory thinking is a collaborative, inclusive approach to problem-solving and decision-making that emphasizes the involvement of diverse stakeholders in the process. It is based on the idea that collective intelligence leads to better, more sustainable outcomes than isolated or top-down decision-making. Participatory thinking helps create more equitable, innovative, and effective solutions by ensuring that those affected by decisions have a say in them. It contrasts with traditional hierarchical or expert-driven models by valuing lived experience alongside technical knowledge.

Attia Samira Oscar Sandoval

While participatory thinking is framed as a more inclusive and democratic alternative to traditional expert-driven models, the definition provided appears to conflate well-established practices (such as committee-based or consultative decision-making) with a rebranded conceptual framework. The notion that “collective intelligence leads to more sustainable outcomes” is asserted without qualification, yet it remains a contested premise within cognitive science, organizational theory, and political philosophy.

Furthermore, the distinction drawn between “lived experience” and “technical knowledge” is presented as a binary, when in reality, effective decision-making often hinges on their synthesis, not separation. There is no clear articulation of how participatory thinking meaningfully differs in practice from prior forms of multi-stakeholder engagement, such as deliberative democracy, participatory budgeting, or even collaborative design methodologies, each of which already prioritize inclusive input.

Thus, the definition risks offering a repackaging of long-standing governance mechanisms without addressing the structural limitations or trade-offs (e.g., decision quality, time efficiency, power asymmetries) inherent in participatory processes. Without a clearer operational distinction, participatory thinking may remain more aspirational than actionable.

Participatory thinking is a cognitive approach that emphasizes collective sense-making, where knowledge and understanding emerge through active engagement, dialogue, and shared experience within a group or community. Unlike individualistic or purely analytical thinking, participatory thinking values multiple perspectives, emotional intelligence, and contextual awareness, fostering deeper empathy and co-creation. It is often used in collaborative design, education, and community development, where inclusive thinking processes lead to more meaningful, relevant, and sustainable outcomes. This approach strengthens group ownership, creativity, and adaptability in solving complex problems.