Nominal Group Technique and Delphi Technique

In the last byte, we looked at brainstorming and its types and the benefits each form gets to the table. In today's byte, we look at Nominal Group Technique and Delphi Technique.

Nominal group Technique is a structured approach to group decision making that focuses on generating alternatives and choosing one. It could be seen as containing the following steps:

1. Individuals silently list their ideas
2. Ideas are written on a chart one at a time until all ideas are listed
3. Discussion is permitted for clarification only, and not for criticism.
4. A written vote is taken

This method could be used when group members are frightened of criticism.
Delphi Technique is one in which the judgments of experts are gathered and a decision is taken. The experts from remote locations respond to a questionnaire and the coordinator summarizes the responses which are then sent to the experts. The experts then rate the various alternatives generated and the coordinator tabulates the results!