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Speech Idea Generation using the Nominal Group Technique

Generating ideas for speeches can be a real challenge. Brainstorming is one technique often usedbut it suffers from issues such as people not feeling free to participate and loss of ideas as

someone holds back upon hearing someone else share a similar idea.

Nominal Group Technique (NGT) developed in 1968 by A. L. Delbecq and A. H. Van de Ven

uses a different approach to generate ideas. NGT often results in many more ideas being

generated than a comparable brainstorming session while encouraging total participation andpreventing idea loss. Here is how NGT works.

1. Form groups: NGT works best in small groups due to the volume of ideas being generated. A

larger class of 25-30 students could be divided into groups of between 5-10 people for thesession. NGT can be done with as few as two people.

2.Identify the question being addressed: NGT works by having group members identify

potential answers to a task question. The more specific and focused the task question is leads tofocused ideas that address the question being asked. A group facilitator-recorder writes the task

question so the group can see it.

3.Silent Writing: Group members, including the facilitator-recorder if part of the group, spend

some time engaged in "silent writing" where each group member writes down ideas in response

to the task question on paper or a computer. Make sure answers are saved if on a computer. NGTnormally requires 8 minutes for silent writing to occur. 4 minutes works well for a short class

session. A sample speech topic question might look like this: An economic or social issue that I

think should be addressed by this country (or this state) is ___________________.

4.Round Robin sharing of ideas. In this stage the group facilitator-recorder will ask each groupmember to share one idea at a time from their lists. Each idea will be recorded one at a time eventhough the same idea might have been stated earlier by another group member. It is common for

a group of 5-10 people to generate many tens of ideas.

5.Discussion of ideas: This is where ideas can be discussed. Participants should explain what

their idea is about , especially where two people said the same idea. Usually during discussion

key differences about the idea will emerge such that there are actually two ideas being expressed.

This is a time to ask clarifying questions and to provide additional material about the ideas beingshared.

6. Voting procedure. Several procedures exist for the groups to identify the top ideas from thelong list that has been generated. Groups can identify the top 3-5 ideas then see which ideas have

the most votes. Discussion can then focus on the smaller group of ideas. Rank ordering could be

used with the favorite idea receiving 5 points, the next idea 4 points down to the 5th idea whichwould receive 1pt. The points assigned to each idea would be tallied with the top ideas emerging

for subsequent discussion and selection. The most relevant issue is to narrow the group's focus to

the top few ideas for consideration.

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References:

Delbecq, A. L., Van de Ven, A. H., & Gustafson, D. H. (1986). Group techniques for program

planning : a guide to nominal group and Delphi processes. Middleton, WI: Green Briar Press.

Van de Ven, A. H., & Delbecq, A. L. (1974). The effectiveness of nominal, delphi, andinteractive group decision making processes. The Academy of Management Journal, 17(4). 605-

621.