There are several decision-making techniques for groups. This is used for qualitative research. In group research, a panel of experts needs to be gathered and then questionnaires or surveys are used to gather feedback for debate. The process is then repeated until a consensus is developed. In group decision-making techniques, there is a method called The Delphi Method. The Delphi Method can be used for public policy as well. This is when a policy of experts is used to make informed decisions for policymakers. The decisions that are developed can be used for several reasons for instances involving education, healthcare, and even climate change. The Delphi Method takes roots from the Oracle of Delphi that was used in ancient Greece for military warfare (Lund 2020). The United States then adopted the method for predictions for combative events for technology roles. The Delphi Method is used in science, government, and medicine settings. The technique is used in significant variations and can generate policy views on significant issues.

Groups have long been used for making decisions. Scientists and mathematicians have used this for incredibly accurate results. Other group decision-making methods are brainstorming and The Nominal Group Technique. Brainstorming is more freeform and allows for the open exchange of ideas where creativity and ingenuity develop into a freeform expression of ideas (Javadi and Gebauer 2019). In brainstorming, all members are encouraged to participate and build upon the ideas that come to the forefront of their minds. There are limitations in the freeform process of brainstorming. Even if some ideas seem to be more extreme or non-conforming, the solution could be the best possibility.

The Nominal Group Technique is still a brainstorming technique, but it is more structured than brainstorming alone. Everyone who participates is still encouraged to share their thoughts freely, but there is an extra moderation step (Miranda 2017). Each idea is openly discussed and prioritized. When a team needs to solve a problem, this technique may work better than merely brainstorming. The topic of concern is clearly stated, and each member writes down the ideas that come to their mind without holding back their thoughts. Each team member then reads one of their ideas aloud, and the leader notes it on a board. Discussions are not permitted at this point. After the contribution of all of the members, the ideas are then discussed by the team together. Wording and ideas can be altered at this point, with the result being a refined product of the solutions that were developed together.

One technique may be better than another. It depends on the environment and the setting as well as the desired results. The Delphi Method works by gathering information though questionnaires while brainstorming allows for the free development of ideas. The Nominal Group Technique dissects those ideas apart and alters things to be more fitting and compatible with the main idea.

 

References

Javadi, E. and J. Gebauer (2019). "An Experimental Study of the Attention-based View of Idea Integration: The Need for a Multi-level Dependent Variable." JITTA : Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application 20(1): 1-26.

Lund, B. D. (2020). "Review of the Delphi method in library and information science research." Journal of Documentation 76(4): 929-960.

Miranda, E. (2017). "Documentless Assessments Using Nominal Group Interviews." Software Quality Professional 19(2): 50-61.