Group Decisions - Delphi and Nominal

Group decision making involves more than one member.  Some people in the group can arrive with pre-determined solutions, their own expectation, and problem definitions (Revenaugh, 2020).  Some members will be more thoughtful about the decision and what needs to be done (Revenaugh, 2020).  The team leader in the group will need to focus on developing a collaborative group instead of individuals making decisions (Revenaugh, 2020).  

The group-decision making process involves several methods that can include (Revenaugh, 2020):

• • Groupthink
• • Brainstorming
• • Nominal group technique
• • Common information bias
• • Diversity based infighting
• • Risky shift
• • Devil’s advocacy
• • Dialectical inquiry
• • Delphi technique 

The Delphi method starts with a survey of expert opion (Bessant, 2018).  The Delphi method seeks to nullify disadvantages associated with face-to-face meetings that could influence responses (Bessant, 2018).  The Delphi technique was developed in 1953, by Norman Dalkey and Olaf Helmer of the Rand Corporation (Revenaugh, 2020).  The Delphi method is used to obtain a reliable response to a problem from a group of experts (Revenaugh, 2020).  Participants do not interact with each other in a Delphi study (Revenaugh, 2020).  

The Delphi method process has 10 steps:

1. 1. Delphi team is formed to undertake a Delphi on a subject
2. 2. Expert panel is selected
3. 3. First round of questionnaire is developed
4. 4. Questionnaire is tested for proper wording
5. 5. Questionnaire is transmitted to panelists
6. 6. The first set of responses are analyzed
7. 7. Second set of questionnaires are developed
8. 8. Second set of questionnaires are transmitted to the panelists
9. 9. Second round of responses are analyzed.  This can be repeated 7 to 9 times to get a consensus)
10. 10. The report is prepared and presented.

Another technique is the Nominal Group Technique or Modified Delphi method (Revenaugh, 2020).  It is a face to face Delphi based method that allows group discussion (Revenaugh, 2020).  It allows for personal interaction and also gains consensus (Revenaugh, 2020). There are uncontrollable variables with nominal teams, especially since there is human interaction and communication.  When nominal teams are organized and there are unresolved conflicts, personality issues, no group processes, etc., it can become ineffective (Bessant, 2018).  

The difference between the two are the interaction with people. Once is an individual activity, with no feedback or interaction from the group, which is the Delphi Method.  The Nominal Method includes participants sharing their responses among the group.  The process is very transparent for the nominal method, while there is more anonymity in the Delphi method.   

References

Bessant, J.T. J. (2018). Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, Enhanced eText. [Colorado Technical University (CTU)]. Retrieved from https://coloradotech.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781119379416/ 

Revenaugh, D., (Presenter).  (2020, Oct 7).  Live Chat 1-Futuring and Innovation.  Colorado Technical University, Online

Online Education - Adaptive Learning

 

This photo is a great example of my daily activities.  You'll notice a part of my work attire, and multiple devices I regularly use.  The large monitor is displaying the technology I selected to learn more about,  the Alchemy system, which is an adaptive learning tool.  

What is adaptive learning?  

Adaptive learning is a technology-based or online education platform that can analyze a student's performance in real time and adjusts teaching methods based on the data collected about your performance (Lynch, 2017).  It's just like GPS adjusting when you make a wrong turn, except this is for education.  

I've heard of adaptive learning with test taking, but never for course work and in real time.  The photo is also an example of an online learning environment for many people I know.  Working students, people with careers, pursing education while contributing to the workforce.  I've been in school for so long, it's normal for me to have 'homework' after work.   I've also been attending online classes for many years because of several moves, deployments, and work trips being in the military.  Online education works for me.  

However, I've always had to report to an instructor.  I've had to submit homework, respond to discussion boards, and complete projects.  I'm not sure how I would fare without a human interaction, even if it's a virtual interaction.  For adaptive learning, it collects data and makes an assessment based on your performance.  Similar to playing a video game, except with academic criteria.  

Reference

Lynch, M., (2017).  5 Things You Should Know About Adaptive Learning.  Retrieved from:  https://www.thetechedvocate.org/5-things-know-adaptive-learning/ 

Day 1

 Welcome to my new blog.   I'm currently enrolled in a Futuring and Innovation course online with Colorado Technical University.  This blog will share my experiences of taking two online doctoral courses, being a military member, and surviving the pandemic of 2020; all while learning and exploring about various futuring and innovation topics.  This purpose of this blog will share my personal thoughts and feelings about futuring and innovation objectives and topics learned throughout the course.  

Bessant has described innovation to be driven by connections, opportunities and taking advantage of opportunities (2018).  He also focuses on four broad categories of innovation: product, process, position, and paradigm (2018).  Bessant also addresses a systematic approach to business innovation that can occur in 12 different dimensions (2018). These dimensions are:

* Offerings - done with new services or products.

* Platform -  offerings based on reconfiguring other components

* Solutions - offerings customer value

* Customers - new market segments or unmet needs

* Customer Experience - new ways of customer contact and interaction

* Value capture - new business models and new ways of income generation

* Processes - improvements on effectiveness and efficiency

* Organization -changing structures or scope

* Supply Chain - new ways or changes in order fulfillment and sourcing

* Presence - new sales or distribution channels

* Brand - reposition or leveraging

* Networking - new offerings based on integrated networks

These approaches look at a different side of futuring and innovation that does not only involve technology, there is also some strategy, business, and processes that can be analyzed.

I am very interested in process innovation because there are so many new technologies that exists and continue to evolve, yet sometimes our processes aren't efficient or effective to take advantage of these technologies.  An example of this is delivery services for food and groceries, while convenient for some, many did not take advantage of this until recently, due to various pandemic restrictions.  I look forward to sharing my thoughts and opinions on the information I learn in the class and hearing your thoughts and opinions.  

How are you handling the pandemic?  What is are some methods you are using to stay healthy, physically, spiritually and mentally?  Have you discovered something new to help you deal with this global crisis?  

Sharron

Reference

Bessant, J.T. J. (2018). Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, Enhanced eText. [Colorado Technical University (CTU)].  Retrieved from https://coloradotech.vitalsource.com/#books/9781119379416/