Group Decision-Making

"Decision Making" by SimonDoggett is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .

The Delphi Method

The Deplhi method is an iterative group decision-making approach that anonymously collects data from expert participants (Gordon, 1994). The experts are given initial questions to consider on a particular topic of interest. The responses are then summarized, and rationale is provided for extreme positions (Gordon, 1994). The feedback is provided to all participants, who are then asked to reassess their positions based on the new information (Gordon, 1994). This process continues in this iterative fashion until consensus is reached or enough rationale for positions on the topic is understood (Gordon, 1994). Delphi is great for conducting a debate without strong personalities dominating the conversation (Gordon, 1994).

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is another group decision-making method that encourages creating many ideas about a topic of interest (Putman & Paulus, 2009). The process invites a group to share their ideas on a specific topic. Alex Osborn's approach to brainstorming encouraged extending previous ideas, not criticizing others' ideas, and generating a large number of ideas (Putman & Paulus, 2009). After the ideas are discussed and collected, they may be further evaluated.

Similarities

The Delphi method and brainstorming use groups of people to opine on a topic of interest. Both methods are somewhat iterative. The Delphi method is explicitly iterative because it feeds back summary data and rationale for extreme positions, asking participants to reconsider their answers based on the new information. The brainstorming method is implicitly iterative since it encourages expanding on previously discussed ideas.

Differences

Delphi's anonymity versus the direct group interaction in the brainstorming method is the most significant difference between the methods. The Delphi method is also much more structured than the brainstorming method, taking some time to provide the summary data to the participants for the various rounds. Anonymity and how the responses are provided in the Delphi method ensures that the participants are not burdened by social considerations when providing their answers. On the other hand, the direct and quick feedback method in a good brainstorming session should not be ignored. Another difference in the methods seems to be the end goal. Brainstorming generates many ideas quickly, while Delphi aims to narrow the group's thoughts into a consensus over time.

Conclusion

The Delphi method and brainstorming are different techniques for groups to consider topics of interest and either generate ideas or reach a consensus. Which approach to use depends on the participants' social maturity, the topic's nature, and potentially the amount of time allotted to arrive at the final deliverable.

References

Gordon, T. J. (1994). The delphi method. Futures research methodology, 2(3), 1-30.

Putman, V. L., & Paulus, P. B. (2009). Brainstorming, brainstorming rules and decision making. The Journal of creative behavior, 43(1), 29-40.