Group decision making

PRANAV DHANANIWALA

Group decision makingManagers believe they are success in doing

group decision making , goal setting, problem solving.

Dynamics of group decision making. More than consensus, take decision by

authority.Minority rule or by majority rule.

Methods of group decision makingDecision by lack of response: also called plop

method. Some one suggest an idea and without any deliberations it is rejected.

Decision by Authority rule: leader will make the ultimate decision. This method produce minimum involvement of the group. Leader must be very proficient.

Decision by minority rule: a single person can enforce the decision. Two or more members come to a quick and powerful agreement and implement it through chairman or powerful members of the group.

Contd.Decision by majority rule: if majority of

participants feels the same way, then that decision is the best.

Difficult to implement this decision. 2 kinds of psychological barriers.

Minority feels that voting results in two camps and their camp has lost.

Insufficient discussion or their point of view were not understood properly.

Brain stormingGood technique for generating alternatives.Generates as many ideas as possible.It is meant to overcome pressures for

conformity in the interacting group that retard the development of creative alternatives.

No criticism is allowed.Think the unusual

Brain stormingProblems:Production blockingEvaluation apprehension

Nominal group technique.Restricts discussion or the interpersonal

communication during decision making.Members operate independently.Steps in Nominal group technique. Each member independently writes down his or

her ideas on the problem.Each member presents one idea to the group.Group discusses the ideas for clarity and

evaluates them.Ranks the ideas. Final decision is based on

highest rank.

Nominal group techniqueIt is good when members fear criticism from

others.Permits the group to meet formally but not

restrict in independent thinking.

Delphi techniqueTime consuming.

Similar to nominal group technique.

Steps in delphi technique.Problem is identified and members are asked

to provide solutions through questionnaires.Each member anonymously and

independently completes the first questionnaire.

Steps in Delphi techniqueResults are compiled at a central location,

transcribed and produced.

Each member receives a copy of the results.

Members are again asked for the solutions.

Steps are repeated until a consensus is reached.

Advantages of delphi techniqueThe Delphi technique is valuable in its ability

to generate a number of independent judgements without the requirement of a face-to-face meeting.

used for decision making among geographically scattered groups.

The cost of bringing experts together at a central location is avoided.

disadvantagesTime consuming. Not applicable where a

speedy decision is necessary.May not develop the rich array of alternatives

as the interacting of nominal group technique does.

Electronic meetingsBlends the nominal group technique with

sophiscated computer technology.Participants type their responses on the computer

screen. Advantages:Participants can anonymously type any message

they want and it flashes on the screen.It allows people to be brutally honest without

penalty.It is fast because discussions don't go off the point

and many participants can "talk“ at once.

continuedDisadvantages:Those who can type fast can outshine those

who are verbally eloquent but poor typists;Those with the best ideas don't get credit for

them.The process lacks the information richness of

face-to-face oral communication.

conclusionBefore choosing a group decision making

technique, the manager carefully evaluates the group members and decision situation. Then the best method for accomplishing the objectives of the group decision making process can be selected.