Nominal Group Technique

Steps in the Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

Step 1: Silent generation of ideas in writing

The first step in an NGT meeting is to have the group members write key ideas silently and independently. The benefits of this step are:

(1) Adequate time for thinking and reflection.

(2) Social facilitation (i.e. the constructive tension created by observing other group members working hard).

(3) Avoidance of interruptions.

(4) Sufficient time for search and recall.

(5) Avoidance of competition, status pressures, and conformity pressures.

(6) Avoidance of choosing between ideas prematurely.

Step 2: Round-robin recording of ideas

The second step of NGT is to record the ideas of group members (preferably on a flip chart visible to the entire group). Round-robin recording means going around the table and asking for one idea from one member at a time. The leader writes the idea of a group member on the flip chart and then proceeds to ask for one idea from the next group member in turn. The benefits of round-robin recording are:

(1) Equal participation in the presentation of ideas.

(2) Depersonalization—the separation of ideas from personalities.

(3) Increase in the ability to deal with a larger number of ideas.

(4) Tolerance of conflicting ideas.

(5) Encouragement of hitchhiking.

Hitchhiking as used here refers to the fact that ideas listed on the flip chart by one member may stimulate another member to think of an idea he had not written on his worksheet during the silent period. In this case, s/he is free to add the new idea to his worksheet and report it for listing on the flip chart when her/his turn arrives.

Step 3: Serial discussion for clarification

The third step of NGT is to discuss each idea in turn. The benefits of this step are:

(1) Avoidance of focusing unduly on any particular idea or subset of ideas.

(2) Opportunity for clarification and elimination of misunderstanding.

(3) Recording of differences of opinion without...