For many consensus building processes, the goal is to reach an agreement that can be put into practice. Thus, the measure of success of a consensus building process is not only whether the parties reach agreement, but also how successfully it is implemented. From a mediator’s point of view, the key tasks in the implementation phase include:

• Securing ratification of the agreement (for example, by the organizations represented by participants in the consensus building process)
• Holding parties to their commitments
• Renegotiation or dispute resolution during the implementation phase

There are many reasons why agreements might fail to be implemented, including:

• Agreement was not technically feasible
• Agreement was not institutionally feasible
• Changes in circumstances
• Bad faith
• Process did not involve all parties
• New parties emerged
• Negotiators lacked the ability to bind their organization and/or future policy makers

Mediators (and participants) can seek to avoid implementation problems by:

• Satisfying the interests of all parties
• Ensuring that all key parties are at the table
• Creating continuing relationships
• Being explicit about who does what when
• Creating self-enforcing mechanisms such as:
  • Renegotiation clauses
  • Structured timetable; contingent agreements
  • Positive incentives to comply
  • Negative consequences for non-compliance
  • Monitoring committees
• Using “third party” mechanisms, such as:
  • Mediation clauses
  • Arbitration clauses
  • Monitoring by a third party
  • Court supervision