The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) is a 5-step structured brainstorming method designed to ensure everyone in a group contributes equally. It prevents dominant voices from taking over discussions and helps teams make faster, unbiased decisions. Here’s how it works:
- Define the Problem: Create a clear, focused problem statement using SMART criteria.
- Silent Idea Generation: Team members brainstorm independently for 5-10 minutes without discussion.
- Round-Robin Sharing: Each participant shares one idea at a time in a structured, interruption-free format.
- Discuss and Refine Ideas: The group clarifies and improves each idea while combining similar ones.
- Vote and Prioritize: Use a point-based system to rank ideas and decide the best solution.
Why Use NGT?
- Equal Input: Everyone’s voice is heard.
- Clear Structure: A step-by-step process keeps discussions focused.
- Reduces Bias: Avoids groupthink and dominant personalities.
- Faster Decisions: Speeds up idea generation and prioritization.
NGT is especially useful for technical teams, leadership roles, or remote/hybrid settings where balanced input and quick decisions are critical.
Quick Overview
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Define the Problem | Use SMART criteria to frame the issue. | Aligns the team on a clear focus. |
| Silent Generation | Brainstorm individually for 5-10 mins. | Sparks creativity without judgment. |
| Round-Robin Sharing | Share ideas one-by-one without critique. | Ensures equal participation. |
| Discuss & Refine | Clarify and combine ideas. | Improves and organizes contributions. |
| Vote & Prioritize | Rank ideas using a point-based system. | Identifies the best solutions. |
This simple, structured approach helps teams collaborate effectively and make well-informed decisions quickly.
How to do Nominal Group Technique
Step 1: Define the Problem
How to Define the Problem
To kick off an effective NGT session, you need a clear and focused problem statement. Use the SMART criteria - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound - to shape it. For instance, you might ask: "How can we improve customer satisfaction ratings by 20% within six months?" [2]
Setting Objectives for the Session
The facilitator plays a key role in setting the stage. They should provide background information, ensure everyone understands the problem, and keep the scope manageable so the team can focus on practical solutions [2][3]. Make the problem definition visible - whether on a whiteboard, screen, or printed materials - so everyone stays aligned [3].
Engage the team with open-ended questions and gather feedback to confirm everyone is on the same page before moving forward. Having the problem clearly documented keeps discussions on track and ensures ideas remain relevant to the task at hand [3].
When the problem is well-defined, it not only sharpens the session’s focus but also ensures the ideas generated are practical and actionable. With this foundation in place, the team is ready to dive into solution brainstorming.
Step 2: Silent Idea Generation
Independent Brainstorming for Fresh Ideas
Once the problem is clearly defined, silent idea generation gives each participant the chance to independently come up with solutions. For 5-10 minutes, team members work on their own, free from outside influence [3]. This method ensures that no single voice dominates the process, allowing everyone to contribute equally.
This quiet approach sparks creativity by removing judgment and pressure [1]. It often leads to unconventional ideas that might not surface in a typical group discussion.
To make this phase effective, the facilitator should:
- Stick to a 5-10 minute time limit and enforce complete silence.
- Encourage participants to focus on quantity - more ideas mean more options [1][3].
Choosing the Right Tools
The tools you use can make a big difference in how smoothly the silent brainstorming session runs. While classic methods like sticky notes are still useful, digital tools can add flexibility for remote or hybrid teams:
| Tool Type | Ideal For | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Sticky Notes/Digital Workspaces | In-person or remote sessions | Easy to visualize, share, and save ideas |
| Paper and Pen | Individual focus | Simple, distraction-free, no tech issues |
If using digital platforms like Creately's visual workspace, make sure everyone knows how to use the tool beforehand [2].
Once all ideas are gathered, the team can move on to the sharing phase, ensuring every participant’s input is considered.
Step 3: Share Ideas in a Round-Robin Format
Facilitating Round-Robin Sharing
Once the team has silently generated ideas, it's time to share them in a structured way. This step ensures everyone gets a chance to contribute, creating a balanced and collaborative environment. Each team member takes turns sharing one idea at a time. There’s no room for interruptions or critiques during this phase, which helps quieter members feel equally heard and prevents louder voices from dominating [1].
Here’s how the facilitator can guide this process:
- Set a 1-2 minute limit per idea.
- Enforce a strict no-discussion rule until the next phase.
- Stick to a clear turn-taking system, allowing participants to pass if they wish.
For remote teams, tools like digital whiteboards, video calls, or shared documents can help keep the process smooth and organized.
Making Ideas Visible to the Group
Capturing ideas in real-time is key to keeping everyone on the same page. The facilitator should record each idea clearly and concisely [4]. This visual approach allows the team to:
- Keep track of what’s been shared and avoid repetition.
- Identify patterns or connections between ideas.
- Stay focused and engaged throughout the session.
For in-person meetings, tools like flipcharts or whiteboards work well. Virtual teams can rely on shared online platforms for the same purpose [5].
Pro Tip: Number each idea for easy reference during later discussions, and make sure to preserve the original wording [6].
With all ideas now shared and visible, the team is ready to move on to the next step: refining and clarifying these contributions.
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Step 4: Discuss and Refine Ideas
Sharpening and Expanding Contributions
Now that all ideas are laid out, it’s time to dig deeper into each one to make them clearer and more actionable. At this stage, the goal is to improve understanding and practicality. The facilitator plays a key role here by steering the discussion, encouraging participants to ask questions, and suggesting ways to build on each idea.
To keep discussions productive and on track, try these simple strategies:
- Use open-ended prompts like "How could this work in practice?" to spark deeper thinking. Replace "Yes, but..." with "Yes, and..." to keep ideas flowing.
- Keep the original ideas visible so everyone can reference them while brainstorming improvements.
- Limit discussions to 2-3 minutes per idea to maintain energy and focus.
Mark any changes or updates next to the original ideas using a different color or symbol. This makes it easy to see how each idea evolves.
Combining Related Ideas
As conversations unfold, you’ll likely notice similar ideas or overlapping themes. The facilitator should help the group spot these connections and combine related concepts into more complete solutions. This not only simplifies the decision-making process but also ensures no good ideas are left behind.
Here’s a straightforward way to merge ideas:
| Step | Action | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Identify | Spot common themes or overlaps | Organize and simplify ideas |
| Analyze | Look at the unique aspects of each idea | Preserve valuable details |
| Synthesize | Combine them into a stronger concept | Build better final solutions |
Tip: Always check with contributors before merging their ideas. This ensures they feel heard and helps keep important details intact.
With polished and unified ideas, the team can now move on to evaluating and prioritizing them for the next steps.
Step 5: Vote and Prioritize Ideas
Ranking Ideas
Once you've refined and combined ideas, it's time to vote. A structured voting system ensures that everyone has an equal say in the process. This approach helps balance contributions and keeps the team aligned.
A point-based system works well here. For fewer than 10 ideas, assign 1-5 points to each option. For larger sets, start by selecting the top five ideas before assigning detailed scores. Each participant independently rates ideas based on their value, with higher points going to preferred options. This method prevents anyone from dominating the discussion and ensures all perspectives are represented.
Quick tip: Clearly number each idea to simplify voting and reduce confusion.
Choosing the Final Decision
Once everyone has voted, tally the scores to rank the ideas. If there’s a tie, hold a brief discussion or second vote to break it. As you finalize decisions, keep these points in mind:
- Look for large score differences, which may highlight strong preferences.
- Use quick discussions or re-votes to resolve ties.
- Record the final scores, rankings, and any key discussion points for clarity.
To keep everything transparent, consider creating a visible scoreboard that includes:
- Scores for each idea
- Total points received
- Final ranking
- Any important comments or concerns
Keep the voting process short - 10 to 15 minutes is usually enough to maintain focus. Once the final decision is made, document the chosen solution along with runner-ups for future reference.
With a clear and inclusive process, your team will be ready to move forward confidently.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) offers a structured approach to decision-making that encourages input from everyone involved. By blending individual brainstorming, group discussions, and ranked voting, it avoids common issues like groupthink or having a few people dominate the conversation. This method helps ensure fair participation and well-rounded results.
NGT works well across various organizational challenges. It helps teams stay focused while encouraging collaboration and new ideas, leading to well-informed decisions. For leaders to make the most of NGT, strong facilitation and communication skills are essential. These skills can be developed through targeted leadership training.
Leadership Development Resources
Professionals looking to improve their NGT facilitation skills can explore leadership programs, such as those provided by Tech Leaders (https://technical-leaders.com). These programs are designed to blend technical expertise with leadership abilities like facilitation, communication, and strategic thinking, helping leaders make the most of NGT.
Here’s how specific skills can enhance NGT implementation:
| Skill Area | How It Helps with NGT |
|---|---|
| Facilitation | Guides teams smoothly through each phase of the process. |
| Communication | Ensures clarity in defining problems and sharing ideas. |
| Consensus Building | Helps manage group dynamics during the voting process. |
| Strategic Thinking | Aligns the outcomes with broader organizational goals. |
Effective use of NGT requires both a clear understanding of the process and strong leadership skills. When paired with solid facilitation, this method creates a space where teams can collaborate meaningfully and develop innovative, well-considered solutions.
FAQs
How many stages are there in nominal group technique?
The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) generally includes five stages, though some variations may have four to six. Here's a breakdown of the typical process:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Problem Definition | Clearly defining the issue or challenge at hand. |
| Silent Ideation | Team members brainstorm individually without discussion. |
| Round-Robin Sharing | Each person shares one idea at a time with the group. |
| Discussion & Refinement | The group discusses and improves the ideas presented. |
| Voting & Prioritization | Members rank the ideas to determine their importance. |
This step-by-step method helps avoid groupthink and keeps discussions focused and productive [1][3]. Originally developed in the 1960s by Delbecq and Van de Ven, NGT has proven useful for technical teams stepping into leadership roles [3][4].
Its structured framework is particularly helpful in technical project planning and leadership workshops, ensuring balanced participation and leading to better decisions [1][3]. Each stage builds logically on the last, guiding teams from identifying problems to making informed choices.