Nominal Group Technique
What is Nominal Group Technique about ?
This method, by various names, has been included as a component in several methodologies, including Learning for Change as well as (I think) Metaplan. It takes place in four steps.
Several aspects of it appeal to a deeper level than the purely intellectual, though this is not articulated. For instance, in Step 2, each person STANDS around an empty table or whiteboard (everyone is on the same footing), and puts their written opinions or ideas one by one on the table or board (putting our cards on the table). The instructions and facilitation need for this reason to be very precise if the full benefit is to be obtained.
NGT enables a group/team to bypass unproductive debate and reach relatively painlessly a consensus about the field in which they are operating. The true benefits are realized when the results are used as a basis for further planning and action.
Audience
Is participant experience relevant for Nominal Group Technique ?
Audience description for Nominal Group Technique
Any project or other work group with tasks and ambitions in common.
Other prerequisites for participants
They need to trust the facilitator.
Requirements
A room in which people can move about. Tables or whiteboard.
Run Through
Think very carefully through the question that will form the basis for the exercise. See examples above. What is it you most need to align the team around?
Online
NGT can be used online with an online whiteboard. Recommendations by Mel White:
Group and lock the space on the whiteboard in advance.
Make the workspace area clear on the whiteboard - so they can see which sticky notes have already been grouped. You can make one frame which is the group space, and give each person their own pile of prepared sticky notes outside of that space (maybe a different colour sticky note for each person). Grouping things in columns works well.
Watch out for different people's levels of digital literacy. For example some participants might need help with moving the sticky notes.
With experienced groups it can all move very quickly and be really efficient and seamless.
project
