Group Decision Making Methods

 

MoThoughts

Group Decision Making Methods

July 1^st, 2025

 

Introduction

Group decision-making methods provide a structured means by which to arrive at consensus.  Seeking the perspectives of others from within a group or department yields points that may not have been considered, a sense of inclusion in the group or department’s work and solutions which may be unique to that organization. 

The Delphi Technique, The Nominal Group Technique and the Dialectical Inquiry Technique are three means of reaching consensus within a group. The format for this discussion is as follows, a description, purpose and generalized steps for each method will be shown.

 

The Delphi Technique

DESCRIPTION

This popular group decision making method uses a survey in iterative sessions to  capture the knowledge and opinion of selected experts or stakeholders to arrive at a consensus (Delphi Method, n.d, Khodyakov, 2023, Nigam, 2024).  

Nigam (2024) explains that the Delphi Technique uses several rounds of questionnaires to arrive at a forecasting-based consensus. The author states that the process is often described as exploratory and comprehensive in nature. The participants are anonymously selected and report directly to the group’s facilitator. 

PURPOSE

“The method… helps in understanding the likelihood or probability of an event happening or taking place” (Nigam, 2024). Khodyakov further clarifies that aside from predictive forecasting the method can be used to prioritize research, drill down on the impacts of government policy, create clinical guides and general performance metrics (2023). 

STEPS IN THE DELPHI TECHNIQUE

1.     Selection of an objective (neutral) facilitator.

2.     Define the problem statement.

3.     Selection of experts / stakeholders.

4.     Survey is created and shared over multiple rounds requiring feedback until consensus is reached (Dagher, 2024, Nigam, 2024, Khodyakov, 2023).

5.     Results are analyzed to determine group’s position, i.e. “used for decision-making, forecasting, policy development; or any other purpose defined in the study’s objectives” (Villegas, 2023).

 

The Nominal Group Technique

DESCRIPTION

The structured method- The Nominal Group Technique utilizes group brainstorming decision making, however it adds a voting element at the conclusion of the sharing/ presentation of ideas and solutions (Dagher, 2024). 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this method is to generate discussion amongst all participants and give all participants the opportunity to contribute towards the solution. 

STEPS IN THE NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE

1.     Define the problem statement for the group.

2.     Give all participants an opportunity to think about solutions within a short time frame.

3.     Ideas are shared with the entire group.

4.     The ideas/ solutions are discussed only to clarify them further.

5.     Voting ideas to rank / prioritize them (Dagher, 2024).

6.     Group decides on the winning ideas (Dagher, 2024, What is Nominal Group Techniques, n.d.). 

The Nominal Group Techniques permits all ideas to be further clarified. This technique is inclusive of individual perspectives within a group (What is Nominal Group Techniques, n.d.). Because the process is structured and prioritizes the idea or solution it is an effective way to conduct a corporate-wide group meeting.

 

The Dialectical Inquiry Technique (Pros & Cons)

DESCRIPTION

This group discussion method is also called the Pros and Cons list (Dagher, 2024).  “This approach involves the systematic exploration of opposing viewpoints, perspectives or arguments to uncover underlying assumptions, tensions and contradictions” (Cuofano, 2024). 

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Dialectical Inquiry Technique is to receive and manage conflicting ideas / views.  It allows a group to consider the pros and cons by expressing perspectives in an atmosphere of consideration. This in turns fosters innovation, ethical decision making and collaborative leadership (Cuofano, 2024). 

STEPS IN THE DIALECTICAL INQUIRY TECHNIQUE

1.     Decide on the nature of the question / challenge.

2.     Divide participants into two groups – for or against the question /challenge.

3.     Allow both groups an opportunity to present positions.

4.     Discuss the positions and arrive at a solution which can be by majority vote. 

 

Table # 1: Comparison of the Decision-Making methods. 

Group	Participant Profiles	Methods
Delphi Technique	Experts – Anonymous Can be Widespread in location.	Iterative surveys.
Nominal Group Technique	Any person within an organization. Usually in person but can be by virtual meeting.	Individual brainstorming, presenting & voting.
Dialectical Inquiry	Any person within an organization. Usually in person, but can be by virtual meeting.	Pros and Cons discussion & voting.

  

Conclusion

The three group-decision methods discussed have different advantages and can be useful with different audiences and applications. The Delphi method works when requiring credible, well- researched expert or stakeholder opinions.  The Nominal Group method uses brainstorming to quickly arrive at ideas which are prioritized by a voting exercise.  The Dialectical Inquiry fosters group debate on the thesis and antithesis of a concept (Dagher, 2021).  Benefits from the various methods should align with the objectives of the organization and challenges being addressed by the meetings.

 

 

 

References

Cuofano, W. I. G. (2024, April 11). Dialectical inquiry. FourWeekMBA. https://fourweekmba.com/dialectical-inquiry/

Dagher, K. (2024, August 30). 10 of the most effective group decision making techniques. Fellow.app. https://fellow.app/blog/productivity/group-decision-making-techniques/

Delphi Method. (n.d.). RAND. https://www.rand.org/topics/delphi-method.html

Khodyakov, D. (2023, October 17). Generating evidence using the Delphi method. RAND. https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2023/10/generating-evidence-using-the-delphi-method.html

Nigam, R. (2024, December 30). Delphi Method. What is it, examples, advantages &                   
steps.    https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/delphi-method/

Villegas, F. (2023, August 29). Delphi method: definition, steps, pros, cons, uses & examples. QuestionPro. https://www.questionpro.com/blog/delphi-method/

What is Nominal Group Technique? (n.d.). Superworks. https://superworks.com/glossary/nominal-group-technique/