Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
NGT is a structured process, which identifies and ranks the major problems
or issues that need to be addressed.
It is a tool that can help bring a team in conflict to arrive at a
consensus on the relative significance of issues, problems, or solutions
by ranking their importance individually to view the team’s final
priorities.
NGT is based on three (3) fundamental, research-based principles:
- "Nominal Groups" are thought to generate better quality
ideas among the members of the group which typically results to classic
brainstorming. A nominal group consists of several people (usually
gathered in one room) who are prepared to work as a team to resolve
a problem. This sharing of ideas (which are anonymously submitted)
promotes a sense of involvement and motivation within the group.
- The "round robin" element provides encouragement and equal
opportunities for all members to contribute. Contribution from all
participants is encouraged and every individual’s idea is given
equal standing, whether unique or not.
- Reliable communication requires that the recipient’s understanding
of a message be checked with the sender, especially in the case of
'new ideas' being put forward. Checks for accurate communication are
built into the technique.
When Should You Use NGT?
The NGT may be used for the following purposes:
- To identify the major strengths of a department/unit/institution
(Examples: why do enrollment statistics show a decrease in business
courses; to make decisions by concensus when selecting problem solutions
in a business).
- To provide each participant with an equal voice
(Example: defusing a domineering faculty member or influential employee
who tends to control the discussion and dominate the process).
What Are the Steps in Conducting the Nominal Group Technique?
- Request that all participants (usually 5-10 persons) write or say
the problem or issue they feel is most important.
- Develop a master list of the problems or issues.
- Generate and distribute to each participant a form that enumerates,
in no particular order, the problems or issues. Request that each
participant rank the top five (5) problems or issues by assigning
5 points to the most important perceived problem and 1 point the least
important of their top five.
- Tally the results by adding the points for each problem or issue.
The problem or issue with the highest number is the most important
one for the total team.
- Discuss the results and generate a final ranked list for action
planning.
EXAMPLE:
Five possible solutions to a problem exist. Six people must decide
which solution should be attempted first. The solutions are called A,
B, C, D, and E. The people are Bill, Bob, Henry, Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Each of the six people orders the potential solutions. The matrix below
is developed.
Solution |
Bill |
Bob |
Henry |
Peter |
Paul |
Mary |
TOTAL |
A |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
16 |
B |
5 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
26 |
C |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
D |
2 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
11 |
E |
3 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
21 |
We would begin by trying solution B, followed by E.
Sources:
http://www.sytsma.com/tqmtools/nominal.html
http://www.mycoted.com/creativity/techniques/ngt.php
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