Nominal Group Technique (NGT) is a structured facilitation method used for idea generation, prioritization, and decision-making in group settings. It encourages balanced participation by ensuring that all voices are heard before a group reaches a consensus.
Key Aspects of Nominal Group Technique
- Encourages Equal Participation – Reduces dominance by louder voices.
- Combines Individual & Group Input – Allows independent idea generation before discussion.
- Uses a Structured Voting Process – Prioritizes ideas based on collective agreement.
- Minimizes Bias – Helps prevent groupthink and undue influence.
Steps in Nominal Group Technique
- Silent Idea Generation – Participants individually write down ideas.
- Round-Robin Sharing – Each person presents one idea at a time.
- Clarification & Discussion – The group discusses ideas to ensure understanding.
- Voting & Prioritization – Participants rank ideas anonymously or by structured scoring.
- Final Decision – The group selects the highest-priority ideas for action.
Example Scenarios
Project Risk Identification
A project team uses NGT to brainstorm potential risks and rank them by likelihood and impact.
Product Development
A company gathers input from stakeholders to prioritize features for a new software release.
Process Improvement
An operations team applies NGT to identify inefficiencies and determine which improvements will have the greatest impact.
Why Nominal Group Technique Matters
- Enhances Decision Quality – Ensures thoughtful, data-driven prioritization.
- Reduces Conflict – Provides a structured approach to discussing diverse perspectives.
- Increases Engagement – Encourages participation from all team members.
- Supports Complex Problem-Solving – Helps manage large amounts of input efficiently.
See also: Brainstorming, Facilitation Techniques, Decision-Making Models, Delphi Technique.