What is Nominal Groups Technique of Decision Making?

This technique was developed by Delbecqual and Vandevien. It was designed to overcome problems inherent in group decisions. Nominal group is basically a paper group. It is believed that interacting groups inhibit creativity so far as the generations of ideas are concerned.

This technique has the following steps:

(i)Each member silently expresses his/her ideas about the problem and alternative solutions in writing about consulting any other member.

(ii) Each idea is recorded on a flip chart or board without disclosing, whose idea is what and the process continues until all ideas are listed.

(iii) Each recorded idea is discussed with respect to its merit and feasibility.

(iv) In order of preference, the group then votes confidentially on the ideas and the majority of individual rankings determine the group choice.