Tool 117: Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

AKA

Normal Group Process, Nominal Grouping

Classification

Idea Generating (IC)

Tool description

The nominal group technique (NGT) is used primarily to generate ideas, prioritize, and reach team consensus in a very structured, facilitated session. Originally developed by A. Delbecq and A. Van de Ven (1968), NGT has become increasingly popular as a means for participants to have an equal voice in the item or problem selection and decision-making process.

Typical application

• To identify and reach consensus on the most important ideas, items, or problems so the team can advance to the next step in a problem-solving effort.

• To prioritize from a list of generated ideas or items with balanced team participation and without conflict.

• To gain participants' commitment by allowing each to fully participate in an idea generation and -selection process.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
2	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
3	Project management
	Manufacturing
5	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
4	Customer/quality metrics
1	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Audience Analysis

• Circles of knowledge

• Brainwriting Pool

• Phillips 66

• Consensus Decision Making

after

• Project Planning Log

• Action and Effect Diagram (AED)

• Force Field Analysis (FFA)

• Action Plan

• Responsibility Matrix

Notes and key points

• Although many variations exist, NGT works best if:

  • It is a facilitated session with 8-10 participants.

  • Individual, silent idea generation is used for about 10–15 minutes.

  • Each participant ranks the top five items using a priority/importance/value point scale of 5 for most preferred (highest rank) to 1 for least preferred (lowest rank) items.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 The team facilitator displays, on a flip chart, a problem statement or open-ended question. See example Ideas for Improving Teaming.

• STEP 2 Participants silently generate ideas on provided 3 5 cards.

• STEP 3 When participants have finished, or after 15 minutes, the facilitator collects and records ideas in a round robin fashion by asking each participant to read his or her written ideas. No evaluation or criticism of ideas is allowed.

• STEP 4 Step 3 above is repeated until all ideas have been recorded. Participants may "pass" at any time during this process.

• STEP 5 Once the facilitator has recorded all ideas on the flip chart or white board, participants may ask to have some ideas clarified. Ideas may also be modified or combined to promote understanding.

• STEP 6 Next, the facilitator asks each participant to list five ideas from the recorded list of ideas that they prefer, writing down only one idea per 3 5 card. Individuals rank each idea according to a priority/importance/ value point scale, 5 points being the highest and 1 point being the lowest.

• STEP 7 The facilitator tabulates the votes and, using the point totals, lists the team's top five ideas and dates the chart as shown in the example.

• STEP 8 The team discusses the results and establishes the next steps.

Example of tool application

Ideas for Improving Teaming (Team of 10 Participants)

		Date xx/xx/xx
Generated List of Ideas	Ranking (1–5)	Top 5
A Job rotation	A–3	3
B Team training	B–5, 4, 3, 5, 5
C Rewards / recognition	C–5, 2, 4	⑪
D Team facilitation	D–4, 4, 5, 2	⑮
E Open communication	E–3, 3, 3, 1	10
F Involved management	F–3, 1, 2	6
G Job sharing	G–1, 2	3
H Tools training	H–2, 4, 5, 2, 3	⑯
I Cross-functional teams	I–2, 3	5
J Learning communities	J–1, 3	4
K Teaming guidelines	K–1, 4	5
L Time allocation	L–2, 5, 5, 2, 4	⑱
M Self-directed work teams	M–1, 5	6
N Team sharing rally	N–1	1
O IPD teams	O–4, 1	5
P Team newsletters	P–2	2
Q Budget more money for teams	Q-3, 5	8
R Improve evaluation process	R–4, 4, 1, 1	10
Note: Ideas B, L, H, D, and C are the top 5 ideas.