Nominal Group Technique

What is the Nominal Group Technique?

The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) is a structured brainstorming method designed to encourage equal participation and help groups quickly reach a consensus on important topics, strategies, or decisions. The process ensures that every team member’s input is valued by first gathering ideas individually, then discussing and prioritizing them collectively using a point-based voting system.

Steps in the Nominal Group Technique

  • Introduction & Briefing: The facilitator welcomes the participants and explains the topic or problem that needs to be addressed.

  • Idea Generation: Each participant individually writes down their thoughts and suggestions in silence, without discussing them with others.

  • Idea Sharing: Once everyone has noted their ideas, each person presents their suggestions one by one. The facilitator records these ideas on a visible board, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute.

  • Clarification & Discussion: The group reviews and discusses the collected ideas, allowing members to clarify points or ask questions.

  • Voting & Prioritization: Participants rate or vote on the ideas based on their relevance or importance. The votes are tallied to determine the group’s final preferences and priorities.

Benefits of the Nominal Group Technique

  • Encourages participation from all members, including quieter individuals.

  • Eliminates bias by allowing independent idea generation before discussion.

  • Ensures a structured and time-efficient decision-making process.

  • Leads to a well-balanced consensus by incorporating diverse viewpoints.

This technique is particularly useful in problem-solving, strategic planning, and decision-making, ensuring that the best ideas emerge through collective evaluation.

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