How to Use Nominal Group Technique for Better Team Decisions

For project management professionals, what technique will you choose when facing diverse stakeholders, complex problem-solving requirements, and limited time for discussion? Some methods may come to mind when you think about this question, but I suggest the nominal group technique to handle this critical situation. 

I have experienced the best output whenever I used this NGT during projects. There are many reasons to justify this for team decisions. In this blog, I will discuss some of them to prove it is a better technique.

What is the Nominal Group Technique?

Andrew H. Van de Ven and Andre Delbecq developed this nominal group technique. This technique is a structured method that involves brainstorming sessions, including all team members. When every member comes up with an idea, the session helps develop a better plan for the project. It helps to discuss possible risks, the priority of risk mitigation, the plan for the new projects, and features that can added. 

This comprehensive discussion helps the members to develop ideas on the topics discussed. Comparing the topics together, a suitable plan is constituted. As the team members discuss together on project plans, it will be easy for them to remember. This technique can be used by small and large groups as well as government and private organizations.

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How does the Nominal Group Technique Work?

The nominal group technique, or NGT, involves five significant steps. The sequence of all five steps will provide the project with the expected output. To perform the technique, PMPs must follow the procedures given below:

Step 1: Explaining the Situation

When a team needs a decision without dominance. The technique starts when the facilitator meets the team, explains the current situation, and states the risk involved or the point at which the solution is needed. The role of the facilitator is to ensure that all teammates understand the situation and make their contribution. 

For example, in a project, the software requires adding new features. However, this feature is new for the entire project team; they will use NGT in this case. The facilitator will explain the details of the feature to team members as required. This process explains the situation.

Step 2: Silent Idea Generation

Once the facilitator explains the situation, every team member can individually note their ideas. Time will be given to come up with a better solution. Since the complete team is coming up with a solution, many solutions will have varied ideas.  

In the example, as the process continues, the team members now think of ideas for adding the feature. They all write their theories to make it happen. 

Step 3: Round-Robin Sharing 

At this step, all team members share their ideas individually. The facilitator notes every idea as a recording on a board or flipchart. Every team member's idea will be reported. 

As in the example, every team member will explain the feature development. 

Step 4: Clarification and Discussion

When everyone is done sharing, the group again speaks about every idea. All team members discuss to ensure the feature is understood correctly and whether the shared idea can work or combine two or three ideas. 

For example, the ideas of developers and team members can be discussed among the team. Comparison to check the stability of the concept and whether it will result in feature development 

Step 5: Prioritization

The team members will pick the most important or relevant idea. The selection can based on the voting method or ranking method. 

Based on the credibility of the suggested idea for the new feature development, the idea will be selected to be included in the development process. 

These steps help create ideas based on experience and are selected by every team member.

When to use the Nominal Group Technique?

Even though the technique is helpful in generating ideas, there are some specific conditions during which the technique will be effective. Take a look at the conditions:

• Unequal Participation

If the facilitator finds that some team members dominate the discussions while others remain quiet, NGT can be used to create involvement among all team members. This method ensures the equality of participation. 

• New Teams

NGT can be handy if the team is newly formed to improve the coordination, and members need to know each other's perspectives. This can remove the communication barrier between the team members. 

• Controversial Topics

When discussing sensitive issues where strong opinions might clash. 

• Idea generation

When a large number of creative solutions are needed for a problem. 

Individual reflection is needed when some members benefit from taking time to think through ideas independently. 

Benefit of Using the Nominal Group Technique

Using NGT has a range of benefits for project management. Let me explain the significant benefits:

• Balanced Participation

Cooperation within the team can help complete the project on time. This NGT technique helps all members to get an equal chance while sharing their ideas. This process eliminates the dominancy within the team and also promotes fairness.

• Encourages Diverse Perspectives

The chance of getting different ideas is an outstanding benefit of the technique. Imagine getting different ideas will reduce the process involved in the project. The variations can reduce the risk involved or act as an alternative method during any hindrance. 

• Structured Approach

The nominal group technique is a structured process, and it helps all members stay focused on the output and process involved. This also avoids the chance of getting out of the discussions. 

• Prioritization

The team jointly evaluates the ideas given by the group members and finds the best idea to bring out the output with the best quality and reduce the time involved in the process. 

• Time Reduction 

Since the NGT method allows the team members to analyze the ideas before execution, the risks involved are detected before execution. This reduces the time involved in risk mitigation. The brainstorming sessions help find the shortest method to proceed with the process and reduce the time involved. 

The benefit of using the nominal group technique is that it is vital among the project team.

How is the Nominal Group Technique Directly Connected to the PMP Course?

To get outstanding ideas as output from the meeting and proper handling of the group members, knowledge and experience on NGT are required. Knowledge of NGT can be gained during the PMP course because of the following connections: 

• PMBOK Guide

The process in the PMBOK guide is used to frame the PMP course. The nominal group technique is mentioned in the PMBOK guide, and is approved by the Project Management Institute. The methods mentioned in the PMBOK should be used for better management. 

• Decision-making process

NGT is a structured approach to group decision-making, allowing project teams to collectively identify, discuss, and prioritize essential issues or solutions, which is a critical aspect of project management. 

• Requirement gathering

One common application of NGT in project management is during the requirement-gathering phase, where it can ensure all stakeholders contribute their ideas and perspectives. 

• Diverse viewpoints

NGT helps mitigate the issue of dominant voices in a group by enabling each participant to generate ideas individually. After that, everyone should share them with the group, leading to a more comprehensive consideration of different perspectives. 

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Points to Consider in Nominal Group Technique Definition

However, the NGT is more helpful for the management, but there are some considerations to remember. Knowing this consideration will help to get the maximum output from the Nominal group technique 

• Group Composition

If the team members are involved with diverse members from relevant topic expertise, their ideas and perspectives will be increased. The experience will improve the quality of the ideas.

• Recruitment and Sampling

NGT can be conducted with purposive employed participants who can contribute and will likely deliver valuable insights relevant to the research question.

• Facilitator Role

The facilitator prevails over NGT, and their vital role is managing the process and ensuring the equal participation of team members. They must take care of or prevent any individual from dominating the session.

• Individual idea Generation

The session encourages silent brainstorming to avoid ideas influenced by others. This process can generate unique ideas.

• Discussion and Clarification

A facilitator of the discussion should allow a lively discussion that helps in clarification and share ideas. It is also mandatory to oversee and maintain the discussion on the topic. The team must be drawn out of debate whenever it leaves the topic.

Final Thoughts

The nominal group technique is considered as an asset for project management professionals. If you aim to enhance team collaboration and decision-making then, this technique promotes equal participation of team members and diverse ideas. This technique makes sure that every team member contributes to solutions.

This structured approach is to make a focused and efficient discussion, allowing teams to prioritize ideas. The PMP course can provide you with understanding of this technique with all techniques are covered in curriculum. Equip your project manager skills to handle the complex projects. Use such a technique to significantly enhance your team's performance and project outcomes.