Nominal Group Technique
Evaluation Briefs
No. 7 | November 2006
Gaining Consensus Among Stakeholders Through the Nominal
Group Technique
This brief discusses the definition of nominal group technique; how to prepare for it; the four-step process to conduct it;
when to use it; and the disadvantages and advantages of its use.
Defining the Nominal Group Technique
The Four Step Process to Conduct NGT
Nominal (meaning in name only) group technique (NGT)
1. Generating Ideas: The moderator presents the
is a structured variation of a small-group discussion to
question or problem to the group in written form and
reach consensus. NGT gathers information by asking
reads the question to the group. The moderator directs
individuals to respond to questions posed by a
everyone to write ideas in brief phrases or statements and
moderator, and then asking participants to prioritize the
to work silently and independently. Each person silently
ideas or suggestions of all group members. The process
generates ideas and writes them down.
prevents the domination of the discussion by a single
person, encourages all group members to participate, and
2. Recording Ideas: Group members engage in a
results in a set of prioritized solutions or
round-robin feedback session to concisely record each
recommendations that represent the group’s preferences.
idea (without debate at this point). The moderator writes
an idea from a group member on a flip chart that is
visible to the entire group, and proceeds to ask for
How to Prepare for NGT
another idea from the next group member, and so on.
There is no need to repeat ideas; however, if group
The Meeting Room
members believe that an idea provides a different
Prepare a room large enough to accommodate five to
emphasis or variation, feel free to include it. Proceed
nine participants. Organize the tables in a U-shape, with a
until all members’ ideas have been documented.
flip chart at the open end of the U.
3. Discussing Ideas: Each recorded idea is then
Supplies
discussed to determine clarity and importance. For each
Each U-shaped table set up will need a flip chart; a large
idea, the moderator asks, “Are there any questions or
felt-tip pen; masking tape; and paper, pencil, and 3” x 5”
comments group members would like to make about the
index cards for each participant.
item?” This step provides an opportunity for members to
express their understanding of the logic and the relative
Opening Statement
importance of the item. The creator of the idea need not
This statement clarifies member roles and group
feel obliged to clarify or explain the item; any member of
objectives, and should include: a warm welcome, a
the group can play that role.
statement of the importance of the task, a mention of the
importance of each member’s contribution, and an
4. Voting on Ideas: Individuals vote privately to
indication of how the group’s output will be used. (For
prioritize the ideas. The votes are tallied to identify the
an example of a good opening statement, see
ideas that are rated highest by the group as a whole. The
http://instruction.bus.wisc.edu/obdemo/readings/ngt.ht
moderator establishes what criteria are used to prioritize
ml).
the ideas. To start, each group member selects the five
Evaluation Briefs
2
No. 7
most important items from the group list and writes one
advantageous for use with teenagers, where peer
idea on each index card. Next, each member ranks the
leaders may have an exaggerated effect over
five ideas selected, with the most important receiving a
group decisions, or in meetings of collaboratives,
rank of 5, and the least important receiving a rank of 1.
where established leaders tend to dominate the
discussion).
After members rank their responses in order of priority,
• Diminishes competition and pressure to
the moderator creates a tally sheet on the flip chart with
conform, based on status within the group.
numbers down the left-hand side of the chart, which
• Encourages participants to confront issues
correspond to the ideas from the round-robin. The
through constructive problem solving.
moderator collects all the cards from the participants and
• Allows the group to prioritize ideas
asks one group member to read the idea number and
democratically.
number of points allocated to each one, while the
• Typically provides a greater sense of closure than
moderator records and then adds the scores on the tally
can be obtained through group discussion.
sheet. The ideas that are the most highly rated by the
group are the most favored group actions or ideas in
response to the question posed by the moderator. (For
Resources
an example of a ranking sheet and final tally table of an
NGT session, see:
Dunham, Randall. Nominal Group Technique: A User’s
http://www.siliconfareast.com/ngt.htm).
Guide. University of Wisconsin.
http://instruction.bus.wisc.edu/obdemo/readings/ngt.ht
ml. (Accessed 11/7/06)
When to Use NGT
Silicon Fareast. Nominal Group Technique.
NGT is a good method to use to gain group consensus,
http://www.siliconfareast.com/ngt.htm.
for example, when various people (program staff,
(Accessed 11/7/06)
stakeholders, community residents, etc.) are involved in
constructing a logic model and the list of outputs for a
Sample, John. Journal of Extension. Nominal Group
specific component is too long and therefore has to be
Technique: An Alternative to Brainstorming.
prioritized. In this case, the questions to consider would
http://www.joe.org/joe/1984march/iw2.html.
be: “Which of the outputs listed are most important to
(Accessed 11/7/06)
achieving our goal and are easier to measure? Which of
our outputs are less important to achieving our goal and
Center for Rural Studies. Guidelines for Using the Nominal
are more difficult for us to measure?”
Group Technique.
http://crs.uvm.edu/gopher/nerl/group/a/meet/Exercis
Disadvantages of NGT
e7/b.html. (Accessed 11/7/06)
• Requires preparation.
• Is regimented and lends itself only to a single-
purpose, single-topic meeting.
• Minimizes discussion, and thus does not allow
for the full development of ideas, and therefore
can be a less stimulating group process than
other techniques.
Advantages of NGT
• Generates a greater number of ideas than
traditional group discussions.
•
For further information or assistance, contact the Evaluation Research
Balances the influence of individuals by limiting
Team at ert@cdc.gov. You also can contact us via our Web site at
the power of opinion makers (particularly
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/evaluation/index.htm.
