The ability to make accurate decisions with carefully thought out solutions is an invaluable
tool for any person to possess. Making important decisions does not stop at 5pm when you
leave the workplace, there are many decisions that we make in our personal lives that
require well thought out answers. Our lives are filled with important decisions on a daily
basis. Some need to be made immediately, some dont. Some decisions may affect different
groups of people possibly in different way depending upon the solutions possible. A
decision might also affect just the individual responsible for actually making the decision.
There are a variety of tools and techniques available to aid in the decision making process.
This paper will explain the nominal group technique (NGT), how it works, and when it is
appropriate.
Nominal Group Technique
Regardless of the technique, the decision making process follows at least four universal
steps outlined below:
1. Define the problem and collect data.
2. Analyze data.
3. Evaluate and select potential solutions.
4. Develop an action plan for implementation.
The text Interpersonal Skills in Organizations covers these steps in a little more detail.
Basically what it comes down to is that the most important aspect of the decision making
process regardless of the technique chosen is to accurately define the problem during the
planning process (Janasz, 2002). Without a clear idea of what the problem is, determining
a solution will be very hard if not impossible.
The nominal group technique is a form of brainstorming that includes a larger group of
people. The NGT technique takes advantage of pooled judgements. People with varied
talents, knowledge, and skills will be used together. The resulting ideas are likely to be
better than those that other methods may provide (Dunham, 1998).
With a very large group it may be necessary to break up into smaller groups to begin with.
Basically everyone is given a notebook and asked to provide as many possibilities or
solutions to the problems presented. During this silent initial period members try to
generate and write down as many ideas as they can for each topic. Finally these ideas are
all shared with the group by going around and having each member shareone idea at a
time. Ideas that are presented more than once get checkmarks beside them so their
popularity is displayed. The next step would be to clarify each point or idea so that they
are understood. Finally members vote on the items to list them in order of importance.
