Nominal Group Technique
Silent idea generation followed by structured sharing and ranking.
Explanation
The Nominal Group Technique combines the benefits of individual thinking with group interaction by having participants first generate ideas silently, then share and build on ideas systematically. This prevents dominant personalities from steering the session while ensuring all voices are heard. It's particularly effective for sensitive topics or hierarchical teams.
Real-World Example
Team deciding product priorities: 10 minutes silent writing of priorities. Round-robin sharing with no discussion. Clarification questions only. Silent ranking of all ideas. Mathematical aggregation of rankings. Results often differ significantly from what would emerge in open discussion, revealing true team consensus.
How to Apply
Define question clearly. 5-10 minutes silent idea generation. Round-robin sharing: each person presents one idea with no discussion or criticism. Continue until all ideas shared. Allow clarification questions only. Silent individual ranking of all ideas. Aggregate rankings mathematically. Discuss top-ranked items for final decision.