The Nominal Group Technique

The nominal group technique builds on the brainstorming discussion by including a voting process at the end. Not only does each group member cast a vote, but each person is given the opportunity to also give an explanation as to why they voted for whichever decision or option and why they feel as if it’s the best choice.

The technique focuses on participants’ creativity and group decision-making.

When a large crowd of participants discusses problems, the loudest or most passionate voices can often dominate the conversation. But this technique benefits all individuals as their ideas are heard, and each individual gives input.

To reach an agreement, every single problem is addressed one at a time to a point where the participants submit all ideas. The ideas that score the highest are regarded as the best and are the ones that the group discusses and confirms.

Before the meeting, the facilitators prepare questions for the discussion. The questions are carefully designed to ensure they develop the very ideas required.

Participants are encouraged to answer the question silently in short statements. Ideas are recorded by the leaders in a round table from each participant.

The leader record only one idea from the participants precisely as it is, and only a few changes can be made. The participant can give clarity about the ideas if need be.

Discussing each idea collected one at a time before the preliminary vote. During this stage, the participants are given a chance to provide objective judgment of all the ideas from other participants.

Why use the nominal group technique?

The nominal group technique is effective because it only addresses one issue at a time. Many ideas are generated, and the best one is selected through voting.

Is also a structured method that encourages individuals participating in a discussion to give out their ideas rather than as a group. The ideas are then voted by all members to come up with the best one.