Transcript Nominal Group Technique

Nominal Group Technique
Heather Hatch
Quality Management, Winter 2010
Contents:
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Basics of Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
Advantages and Disadvantages
When to use NGT
Steps of NGT
Example of NGT in practice
Try it yourself
Summary
What is NGT?
• Method of brainstorming, making decisions,
or organizing ideas in a group setting
What is NGT?
• Basic process:
– Team members silently write down ideas
– Ideas are shared and discussed
– Team members vote
Why use NGT?
• Helps eliminate biases
and peer-pressure
• Encourages
participation from all
team members
• All opinions are heard
and weighted equally
What inhibits people?
• They don’t want conflict.
• They don’t want to be criticized.
Advantages
• More unique ideas
• More participation
• Members have greater
sense of contribution
• Time-efficient
• Better decisions
• Productive
Disadvantages
• Addresses only one
problem at a time
• Mechanical
• Requires preparation
• Hard to combine ideas
at the end for even
better output
Best to use NGT when…
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Some members are very vocal.
People work better in silence.
Some members are reluctant to participate.
There is concern that enough ideas will be
generated.
• Some participants are new to the team.
• The issue is controversial and the discussion could
become heated.
Stages
Preparation
Introduction
Idea Generation
Idea Sharing
Discussion
Voting/Ranking
Preparation
A team is assembled to include
participants from varying areas.
Materials needed:
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Pen and paper for each member
Flip chart
Markers
Tape
Sticky notes (optional)
Introduction
A facilitator introduces
themselves, explains the NGT
process.
The key problem or question is
presented, explaining the
purpose of the meeting.
Telling team members about
problem sooner allows them to
come prepared.
Introduction
Role of Facilitator:
A facilitator is chosen from
among group members. Their
responsibilities include:
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Helping group avoid conflict
Encouraging participation
Keeping time
Facilitating rounds
Recording ideas
Idea Generation
Individuals silently and
independently write down
as many ideas as possible
during pre-determined
time period. (usually 10
minutes)
Idea Sharing
There are various approaches
to idea sharing, but the same
principles apply:
• Everyone has equal chance to
share their ideas
• All ideas shared are recorded
on flip chart, except repeat
ideas
• There is no discussion during
this stage
Idea Sharing
Anonymous approach:
facilitator collects idea cards
and records ideas on
flipchart, eliminating
duplicates
Non-anonymous approach:
ideas are shared one at a
time in a circular direction.
Members can pass at any
point.
Idea Sharing
This round ends when
– All members have passed on
sharing their ideas
– Time limit is reached
(usually 15-20 minutes)
Discussion
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Now ideas are disussed.
Members can ask for details
or clarification.
The purpose is clarification
not changing peoples
opinions.
Ideas are not eliminated.
Ideas can be re-worded.
Discussion
Facilitator tries to keep all
members involved, continue
the flow of discussion, and
not get caught on any point
for too long.
This phase typically lasts 3040 minutes.
Discussion
If there are many ideas (over
40), there can be an
elimination stage before
voting. Members can
choose to eliminate their
own ideas, or combine ideas
together. Alternatively, idea
elimination can require
approval by all members.
Voting/Ranking
Voting or ranking determines
the NGT’s output.
Facilitator should number the
ideas to make voting easier.
Members either vote
anonymously, with the
facilitator totaling points, or
they can publicly write their
votes on the flipchart.
Voting/Ranking
Voting method 1:
Members can vote for ideas
based on a chart like the
following:
Number of ideas
Number of votes
Value of votes
Less than 20
4
1, 2, 3, 4
20-35
6
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Over 35
8
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Points for each idea are totaled
after all members vote.
Voting/Ranking
Voting method 2:
Members rank all ideas, with
the highest number as the
most favored idea.
Points are totaled after all
members rank ideas.
The idea with the most points
wins.
Voting/Ranking
If the top 5 ideas are all
within several points of
each other, a second round
of votes will best determine
the real winner.
Repeat the voting stage using
only the top 5 ideas.
Visibility
Throughout the process, all charts should remain
visible. Tape them to the walls around the room.
Example of NGT
The faculty at X-University is concerned
that the students are not getting internships
and jobs. A team is created involving
faculty, students, and recruiters. The goal is
to identify the cause of this problem. After
this NGT process, the faculty will create an
action plan based on the outcome.
Example of NGT
Statement of Problem:
Why aren’t students getting internships and
job offers?
Example of NGT
Individual idea generation:
The job market is slow.
Poor interview skills.
They’re not networking.
Not enough recruiters come.
Their resumes are weak.
Students are unwilling to relocate.
Students are unprepared.
No internships prevents them
from getting jobs later
on.
The career fair is not
productive.
Everyone wants to stay instate.
Example of NGT
Idea Sharing:
Example of NGT
Discussion:
What do you mean
by “poor interview
skills?” Does that
include lack of
training?
Should
we
combine
“unwillin
gness to
relocate”
with
“students
wanting
to stay instate?”
Is the career fair not
productive because
there are too many
people or too few?
Can we re-word that
to say, “There aren’t
job opportunities
through the career
fair?”
Example of NGT
Voting/ranking:
1. Unwilling to re-locate
2. Poor interview skills
3. Weak resumes
4. Career fair doesn’t offer
very many job
opportunities
5. Students aren’t
networking.
6. Not enough recruiters.
7. Bad job market
Idea #
Rank
3
7
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6
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5
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3
5
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6
1
List of ideas
Individual rankings
Combined points
Idea #
Rank
1
3+1+1=5
2
4+2+3=9
3
7+6+7=20
4
6+3+6=15
5
2+4+2=8
6
1+5+4=10
7
5+7+5=17
Practice
Identify a problem within your own
organization you want to solve using NGT, or
use the following example:
What are the consequences of children
watching violent television shows and
playing violent video games?
Choose a facilitator and follow the NGT steps to
arrive at your answer.
Stages
Preparation
Introduction
Idea Generation
Idea Sharing
Discussion
Voting/Ranking
Definition:
In summary: NGT allows groups to reach optimal solutions by generating ideas
privately, sharing ideas, discussing, and voting. It eliminates biases and groupthink. Members can participate equally with less intimidation. Try using NGT
for your organization’s future questions and challenges.
For more information on NGT:
• Handbook of Techniques for Formative
Evaluation by George and Cowan
• The Nominal Group Technique: A useful
consensus methodology in physiotherapy
research by Potter, Gordon and Hamer
• Focus Groups: Theory and Practise by
Stewart and Shamdasani
Sources
• http://www.asq.org/learn-about-quality/ideacreation-tools/overview/nominal-group.html
• http://syque.com/quality_tools/toolbook/NGT/ngt.
htm
• http://www.siliconfareast.com/ngt.htm
• http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED
_98.htm