Delphi vs. Nominal Group - Which Technique Should Be Used?

In an article written by Mcmillan et al., whenever there appears to be a significant conflict with existing scientific evidence, consensus methods are a practical approach to addressing such dilemmas. It allows for a much more comprehensive range of research types to be contemplated than is typically done in statistical reviews. Plus, it grants more flexibility to expand the role of qualitatively assessing evidence (2016).

Two of the three best-known consensus methods utilized by think tanks are the Delphi Technique (DT) and the Nominal Group Technique (NGT), a.k.a. the Expert Panel. The description of these two techniques or methods and when to use them is the topic of this discussion.

 The Delphi Technique

The Delphi Technique is a structured communication method developed as a systematic, interactive forecasting method dependent on separate rounds of surveys delivered to a committee of anonymous experts reporting to stakeholders who are decision-makers to collect insights and information. The panel is free to be straightforward and direct with all honesty, without fear of backlash or retaliation for their candor. With a minimum of two rounds (it may take more than two rounds), in every round, questions are formulated by answers given in the previous round, along with the decision-maker's participant-driven requests for clarification or specific inquiries. The committee of experts is encouraged to offer commentary or additional feedback on their respective individual responses and the answers provided by other committee members. Beginning in the second round, committee members are requested to rank by priority and justify in defense of their idea over their fellow committee members in later rounds. When this occurs, the questions gradually become more focused and pinpointed on a smaller subset of ideas on which the Board of Directors might arrive at a consensus decision Mcmillan et al., (2016).

Nominal Group Technique

Conversely, NGT is deliberately a very organized brain-storm type of meeting, typically consisting of approximately 9-12 relevant experts about a specific topic or issue, and particularly unique due to the requirement for the group participants to utilize their mental capability in the use of their brains in series of various ways, i.e. to assess a sequence of options formally, jointly study the inferences of new concepts with others, to silently evaluate the ideas of others, to independently create unique philosophies; semi-quantitative outcomes routinely occur employing of this technique. The NGT is also dependent on an intermediary to be responsible for recording the ideas of the group participants read aloud to the moderator. The moderator of an NGT meeting can be either a facilitating expert on the subject being considered or a non-expert who is accepted and recognized by the group as credible, Mcmillan et al., (2016).

Every concept is contemplated for the sole purpose of acquiring information, which is in stark contrast to debating which ideas are best. Once this process is completed, the stakeholders (who are frequently also the decision-makers) proceed to vote utilizing corresponding index cards with the ideas presented (which are also required to be written on the card) that are marked 1-5 by the stakeholders how the different ideas presented ought to be awarded in terms of the level of priority. The votes are counted, and the ideas are pursued in order of the priority score they received, in descending order from highest to lowest, after using a score of "5" to be indicative of a priority that is highest to a voter and a score of "1" showing an idea ought to be given the lowest priority, Mcmillan et al., (2016).

Differences & Similarities

Although both the DT and NGT appear on the surface somewhat alike, the scenarios presented are what determine which one is implemented and which one is not are significantly different. While both techniques depend on a systematic procedure in the form of "rounds," in the instance of the Delphi Method, questionnaires are disseminated among the expert panelists, whereas in comparison to the discussion structure of NGT – it is going to vary when it comes to insights and sources of information; plus as they both also require the use of a moderator, the NGT moderator's responsibilities are far less demanding in contrast to those responsibilities held by the Delphi moderators, Mcmillan et al., (2016).

When To Use the Delphi Method

The process of the Delphi Method may mandate decision-makers and panelists to invest weeks of going back and forth with each other to guarantee the information submitted is accurate, valid, and detailed. The Delphi Method ought to guide the ideas and the selection of concepts that are most appropriate to meet the needs of the decision-makers if it is performed effectively. The Delphi Method is the perfect method for confronting high-stakes issues requiring a thorough, comprehensive examination of options and leveraging of expertise, Mcmillan et al., (2016).

When to Use the Nominal Group Technique

NGT is frequently utilized to inform less consequential decisions to identify new solutions to old problems and discover new business opportunities or project future developments. Due to the speed by which it can be performed and its reliance on the skill knowledge of its group participants, it is not restricted in terms of time available to conduct any additional substantive research, resulting in this technique frequently being utilized to make decisions that are characteristically small-to-medium in size requiring minimal discussion without the necessity for third-party or other opinions, Mcmillan et al., (2016).

Conclusion

Acquiring foundational comprehension of how decision-making techniques work and when best utilized is relatively simple and easy, even if the minute details of each technique are particularly challenging, if not complex. With the information given here, enough understanding has been received that if the time arises, the ability to decide between the Delphi and the Nominal Group technique will also be quickly done (Mcmillan et al., (2016).

 

Reference

Mcmillan, S. S., King, M., & Tully, M. P. (2016). How to use the nominal group and Delphi techniques. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 38(3), 655–662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-016-0257-x