Ever been in a brainstorming meeting where one or two people completely take over? The loudest voices tend to dominate, and a lot of great ideas from quieter team members get lost in the shuffle. It's a classic case of groupthink, and it kills creativity.
The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) is the perfect fix for this all-too-common problem. Think of it as a structured, democratic way to brainstorm that makes sure every single person gets an equal say.
What Exactly Is The Nominal Group Technique?
At its core, NGT is a simple but powerful process that blends quiet, individual brainstorming with a structured, round-robin discussion. It’s a method designed to pull ideas out of everyone, not just the most confident or extroverted people in the room.
It works by giving everyone a chance to get their thoughts down on paper before the open discussion even starts. This simple step is a game-changer. It prevents those initial, out-of-the-box ideas from being shot down before they even have a chance to be heard. It's an incredibly effective tool, especially during the early ideation process when you want to cast the widest net possible for new concepts.
A Fair and Structured Path to Consensus
This technique isn’t new; it was developed back in 1971 to solve a problem researchers had noticed for years: traditional, unstructured group discussions often produced fewer and worse ideas than just letting people work alone. The research was clear—groups that brainstormed independently first (the "nominal" groups) consistently outperformed typical face-to-face brainstorming sessions. You can dig into the original foundational studies of NGT if you're curious about the science behind it.
By adding structure, NGT creates a safe space for people to share ideas without fear of immediate criticism. This levels the playing field, encourages more creative thinking, and leads to a final decision that truly reflects the collective wisdom of the group—not just the opinion of the most persuasive person.
To make it even clearer, here's a quick breakdown of what makes this technique tick.
Key Characteristics of Nominal Group Technique at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Silent Generation | Participants write ideas individually without any discussion. This is the quiet, solo brainstorming part. |
| Structured Sharing | Ideas are shared one-by-one in a round-robin format until all ideas are on the table for everyone to see. |
| Equal Participation | Because of the structure, every single member contributes, preventing anyone from dominating the conversation. |
| Built-in Prioritization | The process always ends with a democratic voting or ranking step to identify the most important ideas. |
This combination of individual work and structured group collaboration is what makes NGT so effective at reaching a fair and well-considered consensus.
The Four Steps to Running an NGT Session
Knowing what the Nominal Group Technique is conceptually is great, but its real magic happens when you actually run a session. The process is a beautifully structured, four-part journey designed to take your team from a messy problem to a clear, prioritized set of solutions. Each step logically builds on the one before it, keeping the whole thing fair and focused.
This visual guide breaks down the core flow of an NGT session, from quiet thinking to group voting.
As the infographic shows, the process deliberately moves from individual, private work to collective, democratic action. This structure is the key to sidestepping the usual meeting pitfalls.
Let's walk through each of these stages.
Step 1: Silent Idea Generation
An NGT session kicks off not with a chaotic free-for-all, but with quiet, focused thought. The facilitator starts by presenting a single, very clear question or problem statement to the group. This is the north star for everyone's thinking.
For the next 5 to 10 minutes, everyone works alone, silently writing down as many ideas as they can. This is the "nominal" part of the technique—even though you're in a group, you're working as an individual. This silent start is critical. It prevents groupthink and gives quieter or more introverted team members the space to contribute their best ideas without being talked over.
Step 2: Round-Robin Sharing
Once time’s up on silent brainstorming, it’s time to share. The facilitator goes around the room, asking each person to share just one idea from their list. This continues in a “round-robin” fashion, cycling through every participant until every single idea has been shared and recorded.
The most important rule here is no discussion or debate. As each idea is shared, the facilitator writes it down exactly as it was said on a whiteboard or a shared digital document. This simple rule ensures all ideas are captured without being judged or shot down prematurely. What you end up with is a master list that represents the full spectrum of the group's thinking.
The round-robin approach is a powerful equalizer. It makes it impossible for one person to dominate the conversation and guarantees that the last person to speak gets the same airtime as the first.
Step 3: Group Clarification
With all the ideas up on the board for everyone to see, the group can finally talk. But this isn't a debate; it's a clarification phase with a very specific purpose. The goal isn't to argue for or against any idea.
Instead, the facilitator guides the team through the master list, giving people a chance to ask questions about any idea they don't fully understand. The person who suggested it can then explain their thinking. The conversation must stay focused on making sure everyone has the same understanding of what each item means. This step gets rid of any confusion before the voting begins. In fact, getting this stage right is one of the most important steps in the brainstorming process if you want a genuinely useful result.
Step 4: Voting and Ranking
This is where the decision gets made. Now that every idea has been shared and clarified, it's time to figure out which ones are the most important. Each person gets a set number of votes—usually between three and five—to assign to the ideas they think have the most merit.
This voting is almost always done silently and anonymously, which helps prevent people from being swayed by their peers or managers. After everyone has cast their votes, the facilitator adds them up. The ideas with the most votes naturally rise to the top, giving the team a clear, rank-ordered list of priorities built on genuine group consensus. This ranked list is the final, actionable outcome of the entire session.
Why NGT Is a Superior Choice for Group Decisions
Let's be honest, most group decisions feel like a battle of wills. The loudest voice or the most senior person in the room often wins, not necessarily the best idea. The Nominal Group Technique completely flips this script. It's less of a debate and more of a structured, collaborative discovery process.
Its real magic is in creating a level playing field. Every single idea gets heard and is judged on its own merit, not on who said it.
It Guarantees Balanced Participation
This structured approach is the key to getting truly balanced input. The first step—silent, individual brainstorming—is a game-changer. It gives introverted team members or junior employees the quiet space they need to think things through without being interrupted or overshadowed.
This simple step prevents that all-too-common scenario where one or two dominant personalities set the agenda before everyone has even had a chance to speak.
It Fosters Psychological Safety and Better Ideas
That silent brainstorming phase isn't just about being fair; it consistently generates more creative and higher-quality ideas. When people have a moment to think on their own, they're free from peer pressure and the fear of being immediately shot down.
This creates a sense of psychological safety. It empowers people to put forward those slightly unconventional or "half-baked" thoughts that often get self-censored in a typical brainstorming free-for-all. These are often the ideas that lead to real breakthroughs.
By separating the act of generating ideas from the act of evaluating them, NGT builds a foundation of trust. It sends a clear signal to every single person that their contribution matters, which is the bedrock of effective decision-making in groups.
It Builds Real Consensus and Cuts Down on Conflict
Conflict in meetings usually sparks when people feel like they aren't being heard. NGT is specifically designed to minimize this. During the round-robin sharing step, the team is only allowed to list ideas—no debating, no critiquing. This immediately takes the emotional charge out of the room.
Then, the clarification step makes sure everyone is on the same page about what each idea actually means before any voting happens. The final ranking is based on a shared understanding, not on who has the most persuasive personality. The result is a collective agreement the entire team built together, transparently.
One of NGT's biggest advantages is just how adaptable it is. A good facilitator can easily tweak the rules for voting or ranking to fit the team's specific situation. This flexibility, along with its power to pull out great ideas and ensure everyone participates, is why NGT has become such a trusted tool in so many organizations. You can even find detailed research on its application across diverse fields.
Choosing Between NGT and Traditional Brainstorming
Deciding between the Nominal Group Technique and a classic brainstorming session can feel tricky, but it really comes down to one thing: what do you need to accomplish?
Think of it like this: traditional brainstorming is like an open-mic night. It’s energetic, spontaneous, and perfect for getting a flood of creative ideas out on the table. People shout things out, build on each other's thoughts, and the energy can be fantastic for pure creative exploration. If you want to dive deeper into that free-flowing method, our guide on what is brainstorming is a great place to start.
NGT, in contrast, is more like a formal debate. It’s structured, methodical, and designed to make sure every voice is heard equally.
Where Structure Makes the Difference
The real magic of NGT lies in its deliberate, step-by-step process. That initial silent generation phase is a game-changer. It gives everyone—especially the more introverted members of your team—the space to formulate their best ideas without being influenced or overshadowed by louder personalities.
This is precisely why NGT is the go-to technique for making important decisions, not just collecting ideas. We’ve all been in those brainstorming sessions that end with a whiteboard full of sticky notes but zero clarity on what to do next. NGT avoids that completely.
NGT’s built-in voting and ranking system is its greatest strength. It transforms a collection of individual thoughts into a collectively endorsed, actionable plan, ensuring the team walks away with a clear consensus.
Picking the Right Tool for the Job
So, how do you choose? It all boils down to your end goal. Are you trying to solve a specific problem and land on a decision, or are you just trying to get the creative juices flowing?
To make it even clearer, let's break down the core differences between these two powerful techniques.
Nominal Group Technique vs Traditional Brainstorming
This table highlights where each method shines, helping you pick the right approach for your team's needs.
| Dimension | Nominal Group Technique (NGT) | Traditional Brainstorming |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Highly structured with four distinct phases. | Informal and free-flowing with minimal rules. |
| Participation | Guarantees equal input from all members. | Can be dominated by louder or more confident voices. |
| Best For | Making a prioritized decision and building consensus. | Rapid idea generation and creative exploration. |
| Outcome | A ranked list of ideas based on group votes. | A broad, unorganized list of ideas. |
When you get right down to it, traditional brainstorming is about divergence—going wide and generating as many options as you can. NGT is all about convergence—taking all those options and systematically narrowing them down to the very best one.
Running Nominal Group Technique with Remote Teams
The very structure that makes the Nominal Group Technique so powerful in person also makes it a fantastic fit for remote teams. You just need the right digital setup. When you move this process online, you hang onto the fairness and order that make it work, helping your distributed team collaborate without falling into the usual virtual meeting traps.
Success really comes down to choosing tools that mimic the real-world experience. Instead of a stack of sticky notes and a whiteboard, you'll be leaning on digital equivalents.
- Virtual Whiteboards (Miro, Mural): These platforms are perfect for both silent idea generation and the round-robin sharing phase. Everyone can add their thoughts on digital sticky notes, and the facilitator can easily group them on a shared canvas for all to see.
- Polling Software (Slido, Mentimeter): When it's time to vote and rank, anonymous polling tools are your best friend. They enable private voting, which stops people from being swayed by their colleagues' choices and gives you instant, accurate results.
Facilitating a Smooth Virtual Session
Running an NGT session from behind a screen requires a slightly different touch. With everyone in their own space, keeping the team engaged and on track is your number one job. The biggest hurdle? Distractions. They're just a click away for everyone. For a deeper dive into managing this, check out our guide on facilitating remote workshops.
A good remote facilitator has to be proactive. Kick things off by clearly explaining the tools and the process, making sure everyone feels comfortable before you start. Use built-in features, like timers for the brainstorming part, to keep the energy up. When you get to the round-robin sharing, call on people by name to create a clean, orderly flow. It’s a simple trick that prevents people from talking over each other and keeps the session from stalling.
A key to remote NGT is creating structure not just in the process, but in the technology itself. By using designated tools for each step—a whiteboard for ideas, a poll for votes—you build a virtual environment that guides participants and keeps the session focused.
Overcoming Remote Work Hurdles
Tech glitches and multitasking are just part of the remote work reality. You have to plan for them. Always have a backup, like a shared document where people can add ideas if the whiteboard tool crashes for them. A "cameras-on" policy can also do wonders for engagement and accountability. As you get comfortable with remote NGT, it's also worth exploring how other digital tools can improve teamwork; a practical guide to AI for teams is a great resource for that.
In the end, running a great remote NGT session boils down to clear communication and the right tech. By thoughtfully adapting each step for a virtual setting, you can unlock its power to build consensus and make fair, inclusive decisions, no matter where your team members are.
Common NGT Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with a perfect roadmap, a Nominal Group Technique session can easily get sidetracked. A few common missteps can turn a promising brainstorming session into a frustrating waste of time. Knowing what these pitfalls are ahead of time is the secret to a successful outcome.
The right facilitation makes all the difference. It's not just about following steps; it's about protecting the process.
One of the biggest blunders is starting with a vague problem. If the initial question is fuzzy—"How can we improve marketing?"—the ideas will be all over the map, making them impossible to compare and rank later on.
Another classic error is letting the clarification stage morph into a full-blown debate. This part of the process is strictly for understanding what an idea means, not arguing for or against it. When that line gets crossed, the structured, calm environment evaporates, and the whole point of NGT is lost.
Steering Clear of Common Pitfalls
To keep your NGT session productive, you have to be deliberate. A skilled facilitator is your best defense against these common issues, ensuring the integrity of the technique is maintained from start to finish.
Here are the most frequent mistakes I see and how you can sidestep them:
- Rushing the Quiet Time: Don't rush the silent idea generation. This is where the magic happens, especially for the introverts on your team who need space to think. Solution: Set a timer for at least 5-10 minutes and enforce the silence. This gives everyone a real chance to contribute their best thoughts.
- Allowing "Piggybacking" During Sharing: When going around the room, people should only share ideas they've already written down. If someone starts adding new ideas on the fly, it gives louder, more extroverted participants an unfair edge. Solution: Gently remind the group to stick to their pre-written lists to keep the playing field level.
- Asking Vague or Leading Questions: The quality of your results is directly tied to the quality of your initial question. A bad question guarantees a bad outcome. Solution: Before the meeting, spend real time crafting a specific, neutral, and open-ended prompt.
The facilitator's main job is to be a guardian of the process. Protecting the structure—especially the silent brainstorming and no-debate clarification rule—is what allows the Nominal Group Technique to produce fair, high-quality results.
By watching out for these roadblocks, you can make sure your NGT session is a balanced, fair, and incredibly effective tool for making group decisions.
Got Questions About NGT? We've Got Answers
Let's tackle a few common questions that pop up when teams are thinking about using the Nominal Group Technique. Getting these details straight can make all the difference in running a smooth, productive session.
What's the Ideal Group Size?
You're looking for a sweet spot between five and nine people. That’s the magic number.
This size is small enough to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak and contribute without the meeting turning into an all-day affair. At the same time, it’s large enough to gather a good mix of viewpoints and fresh ideas.
If you go smaller than five, you risk a bit of groupthink and might not get the variety you need. Go bigger than ten, and the sharing and voting stages can become really cumbersome and slow everything down.
How Much Time Should We Block Out for a Session?
Plan for about 90 minutes to two hours. A typical NGT session fits nicely into that timeframe, giving each step enough room to breathe.
Here’s a rough breakdown of how that time gets spent:
- Silent Brainstorming: 10–15 minutes
- Sharing Ideas (Round-Robin): 30–45 minutes
- Clarifying the Ideas: 30 minutes
- Voting and Ranking: 15–20 minutes
Of course, this can flex a little. A really thorny topic or a larger group might push you closer to the two-hour mark.
Is NGT a Good Fit for Really Complex Problems?
Absolutely. In fact, that's where NGT truly shines.
The structured nature of the technique is fantastic for untangling messy, complicated issues. It forces the group to break a big problem down into smaller, more manageable pieces, identify the most critical parts, and then focus on what truly matters.