Method · Discussion and ideas

Nominal group technique: how to run it

People generate ideas alone and in writing, share them one at a time round the group, discuss them briefly, then rank them privately — so the best ideas win, not the loudest voices.

50 minutes5 stepsDiscussion and ideas
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When it helps

Use it for important questions where you want every person’s ideas heard equally — setting priorities, choosing among problems to tackle, planning with people of different seniority.

When to use something else

Skip it for quick decisions or open-ended creative work that benefits from building on ideas freely.

How to run it, step by step

  1. Write ideas alone8 min
    • Each person writes as many answers to the question as they can, in silence.
  2. Round robin15 min
    • One idea each in turn, written up without discussion, until all are shared.
  3. Clarify10 min
    • Discuss ideas only to understand them; merge true duplicates.
  4. Private ranking7 min
    • Each person ranks their top five privately.
  5. Tally and discuss10 min
    • Add up the rankings and look at the result together.

What comes out — an example

Made up, to show the shape.

Question. What should the clinic improve first for patients?

Ideas. 31 from 8 staff.

Ranked top. Shorter phone wait (34 points); text reminders (27); clearer parking signs (15).

Next. Phone queue study this month (practice manager).

Where it comes from

The nominal group technique was developed by Andre Delbecq and Andrew Van de Ven in the late 1960s.

Questions

What is the nominal group technique?

A structured method where group members generate ideas individually, share them in turn, discuss briefly, and rank them privately to set priorities.

Why is it called nominal?

Because people work as individuals for much of the process — a group in name — rather than discussing freely from the start.

When is it better than brainstorming?

When fair participation and a clear ranking matter more than building on each other’s ideas in real time.

Other methods

Lean CoffeeA meeting with no agenda until it starts: everybody writes topics, the group votes, and you talk about the most popular ones in short, timed rounds.Fishbowl discussionA few people talk in an inner circle while everyone else listens from around them; listeners can step in by taking an empty chair, so a large group can hold one real conversation.1-2-4-AllEveryone thinks alone, then in pairs, then in fours, then the whole group shares — so every person contributes and the best ideas rise in about twelve minutes.Silent meetingEveryone reads a shared document and writes their questions and comments in it during the meeting, in silence — then talks only about what still needs talking about.Round robinGo round the group in order and give everyone the same short turn to speak — so every voice is heard once before anyone speaks twice.Six Thinking HatsThe group looks at one question from six angles in turn — facts, feelings, risks, benefits, new ideas and process — so everyone thinks the same way at the same time instead of arguing.

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