Nominal Group Technique (NGT), Research Paper Example

Nominal Group Technique (NGT) requires an effective understanding of the different challenges and expectations of a group setting, including what must be accomplished to ensure that all possible tasks are managed as effectively as possible, and that this will serve as an opportunity to explore the different dimensions of group dynamics that lead to successful outcomes. Therefore, in preparing for a meeting using NGT, it is important to address some of the most relevant obstacles that will lead to a high degree of productivity and growth for each member of the group. To be specific, NGT is defined as follows: “Nominal group technique (NGT) is a structured method for group brainstorming that encourages contributions from everyone. Discussion should be equally balanced among all ideas. The facilitator should not allow discussion to turn into argument. The primary purpose of the discussion is clarification. It is not to resolve differences of opinion” (ASQ). Therefore, a group that is facilitated through NGT represents  an opportunity to conduct organized idea sharing and information retrieval to ensure the group is as successful as possible, given the primary focus of the group and its strategy.

In order to complete the NGT task, the appointed leader must provide a basic explanation of the task at hand, and how to best approach the situation through open discussion and information sharing. The team leader must facilitate this discussion, and must recognize the strengths of each team member to facilitate the best possible contributions from them. Therefore, open communication and frank discussion are essential to this process, and require the support of all team members as best as possible.

In facilitating NGT, there must be a breakdown by section so that the focus remains on the proposed topic at all times. This requires an effective understanding of the different elements of the discussion, and how to approach these issues with an open mind. Some of the key factors to consider are that “Some of the obvious advantages are that voting is anonymous, there are opportunities for equal participation of group members and distractions (communication “noise”) inherent in other group methods are minimized” (Journal of Extension). In this context, the group dynamic must be solid, and their true intent or purpose must be openly identified from the start of the group (Journal of Extension). By breaking up the group into smaller subsections, it is possible for each smaller group to identify areas that are most important to the strategy under consideration. Each team should be divided based upon individual strengths, so that each team possesses each of the primary strengths that support the group’s overall success. For each smaller group, individual contributions are likely to be the best possible means of achieving the desired outcomes, and this reflects a means of influencing the group dynamic in a favorable manner. By assigning each individual within the smaller groups a task, they will be provided with an opportunity to explore the different barriers of each smaller group, and how these contribute to the challenges presented in supporting the desired outcomes.

Nominal group technique also requires individuals within the group to be in control of their surroundings, and to actively contribute to the group dynamic through open discussion and collaboration on all sides. It is important to determine who provides strengths to the group in which areas, and to also observe their weaknesses in supporting of achieving maximum success with the NGT. In general, “NGT gathers information by asking individuals to respond to questions posed by a moderator, and then asking participants to prioritize the ideas or suggestions of all group members. The process prevents the domination of the discussion by a single person, encourages all group members to participate, and results in a set of prioritized solutions or recommendations that represent the group’s preferences” (CDC, 2006). It is expected that these elements will be effective contributors in supporting the group dynamic, and in achieving the desired expectations of the group itself (CDC, 2006).

The themes that are selected for the group require an effective understanding of the challenges that are prevalent in supporting positive results for the group. When each member actively contributes to the discussion, there is likely to be a more comprehensive set of outcomes and expectations that will facilitate effective growth and change within the group setting. There are significant opportunities to explore the various dimensions of growth within NGT, and how each contributor to the discussion might be effective in order to determine priorities and the areas of focus that are most important to the task at hand within the group setting. These efforts require a greater understanding of the specific challenges of the group, what is expected of them, and how to best overcome these obstacles in favor of supporting the desired set of outcomes. These efforts are likely to encourage the creation of new forms of growth to influence the expectations of the group, and to achieve said expectations through discussion and rankings.

Categorizing the most important topics through a voting process requires an effective understanding of the original intent of the group, as well as the different elements that are most important in supporting group success over time. It is expected that when group members are provided with a structural framework to support their objectives, they will be most successful in these processes, and will experience desirable outcomes at all levels of the group. Therefore, active contributions to the discussion are essential to the discovery of each team member’s strengths and weaknesses, and to use those strengths to the best of their ability to be successful within the group dynamic. In the voting process, each idea is addressed and categorized by its level of importance, which provides a basis for exploring the different dimensions of the chosen strategy, and how these elements contribute to group outcomes and success over time. When voting is complete and key priorities have been identified, it is likely that the approach that is chosen will be supportive of the different elements of the discussion, which will lead to desirable results for the group, based upon these key priorities. In this context, each member of the group who votes regarding the overall direction of the group and its true purpose will be provided with a challenging basis for the development of a group process that will be supportive of the selected objectives, and that will encourage individual growth and change as needed to produce effective results. This will also demonstrate that the group focus is effective and productive at the same time.

References

American Society for Quality. Nominal Group Technique (NGT). Retrieved from http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/idea-creation-tools/overview/nominal-group.html

Centers for Disease Control (2006). Gaining consensus among stakeholders through the Nominal Group Technique. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/evaluation/pdf/brief7.pdf

Journal of Extension. Nominal Group Technique: an alternative to brainstorming. Retrieved from http://www.joe.org/joe/1984march/iw2.php