Quality Glossary Definition: Nominal group technique Show Nominal group technique (NGT) is defined as a structured method for group brainstorming that encourages contributions from everyone and facilitates quick agreement on the relative importance of issues, problems, or solutions. Team members begin by writing down their ideas, then selecting which idea they feel is best. Once team members are ready, everyone presents their favorite idea, and the suggestions are then discussed and prioritized by the entire group using a point system. NGT combines the importance ratings of individual group members into the final weighted priorities of the group. When to Use Nominal Group TechniqueUse NGT when:
Nominal Group Technique StepsMaterials needed: Paper and pen or pencil for each individual, flipchart, marking pens, and tape.
Nominal Group Technique Considerations
Adapted from The Quality Toolbox, Second Edition, ASQ Quality Press. Audio version of "Group decision making" tip sheet (MP3) Because the performance of a group involves taking into account the needs and opinions of every group member, being able to come to an equitable decision as efficiently as possible is important for the functioning of the group. There are a variety of ways to make decisions as a group; the seven-step decision-making model presented below offers an effective structure for choosing an appropriate course of action for a particular task or project. It can also be an effective method for dealing with a problem or interpersonal conflict that arises within the group.
Decision-making methodsIn order to make the jump from brainstorming potential solutions for solving a problem to evaluating and selecting the best solution, group members need to make decisions. There are several possible methods of decision making that a group can use. A few of them are briefly described below, with advantages on the left and disadvantages on the right for each one: Decision by authorityThe group generates ideas and holds open discussions, but the final decision is made by one person.
Decision by majorityThe group holds a vote on a particular issue following a period of discussion. The majority wins.
Decision by negative minorityThe group holds a vote for the most unpopular idea and eliminates it. They repeat this process until only one idea is left.
Decision by rankingGroup members individually write down the 5 (or fewer) ideas they like best, then rank each idea from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. The votes are recorded on the board and totalled. The idea with the highest total is selected.
Decision by unanimityAll group members must agree that the decision is the best one.
Decision by consensusThe decision is discussed and negotiated until everyone affected by it understands and agrees with what will be done. Consensus in decision making means that all members genuinely agree that the decision is acceptable. After a group has identified a decision to be made, each member is asked how he/she feels about the proposed decision by selecting one of the following responses:
If all the responses from the group members are 1, 2, 3, or 4, you have a consensus and are ready to move on.
Combining ideasInstead of dropping one idea in favor of another, the group searches for possibilities of implementing both or combining them into one solution.
Example:
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