Consensus, Nominal Group Technique, and Multi-Voting: A Complete Guide for Six Sigma Black Belt Exam

Consensus, Nominal Group Technique, and Multi-Voting: A Complete Guide for Six Sigma Black Belt Exam

Why These Team Decision-Making Techniques Are Important

In Six Sigma projects, team managers must facilitate decisions that drive process improvement and organizational success. Understanding consensus-building, Nominal Group Technique (NGT), and multi-voting is critical because:

• Enhanced Buy-in: When team members participate in decision-making, they develop ownership of outcomes and commit more fully to implementation
• Improved Quality Decisions: Multiple perspectives reduce bias and lead to more comprehensive problem-solving
• Conflict Reduction: Structured techniques minimize interpersonal conflict while addressing disagreements constructively
• Equitable Participation: These methods ensure quieter team members have equal voice with dominant personalities
• Efficiency: NGT and multi-voting accelerate decision-making compared to unstructured discussions
• Documentation: These techniques create clear records of decisions and rationale

What Are Consensus, Nominal Group Technique, and Multi-Voting?

Consensus

Definition: Consensus is a decision-making approach where all team members agree on a course of action, or at minimum, can accept and support the decision even if it wasn't their first choice.

Key Characteristics:

• All voices are heard and considered
• Not about unanimous agreement on every detail, but collective acceptance
• Requires compromise and willingness to move forward
• Often time-intensive but builds strong commitment
• Works best with smaller groups (5-15 people)

Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

Definition: NGT is a structured group decision-making method that combines individual input with group discussion to identify and prioritize solutions or ideas.

Key Characteristics:

• Nominal: Members work independently first (like a nominal group with no interaction)
• Structured Process: Follows specific steps with clear facilitation
• Democratic: Each person gets equal voice regardless of status or personality
• Quantifiable: Results in ranked or prioritized list of options
• Transparent: All participants understand how decisions were made

Multi-Voting

Definition: Multi-voting is a technique where team members vote multiple times on options, typically using a weighted or proportional voting system to identify the most favored choices.

Key Characteristics:

• Each person casts multiple votes (often 2-5 votes per option)
• Can distribute votes across multiple options or concentrate on favorites
• Provides more nuanced preference data than simple yes/no voting
• Quick method for narrowing down many options
• Useful when consensus is difficult to achieve

How Each Technique Works: Step-by-Step Processes

Consensus Decision-Making Process

1. Problem/Decision Definition: Clearly state what decision needs to be made
2. Information Gathering: Present all relevant data, perspectives, and options
3. Open Discussion: Allow team members to express viewpoints without judgment
4. Identify Common Ground: Find areas of agreement among team members
5. Address Concerns: Listen to objections and explore modifications that might address them
6. Test for Consensus: Ask: "Can everyone live with this decision?" Not "Is this your favorite option?"
7. Document Agreement: Record the decision and any important caveats or conditions
8. Establish Accountability: Clarify who will implement what aspects of the decision

Nominal Group Technique (NGT) Process

1. Present the Question/Problem: Clearly define the issue to be addressed (e.g., "What are the root causes of defects in our process?")
2. Silent Individual Brainstorming: Each person writes down ideas independently for 10-15 minutes with no discussion
3. Round-Robin Sharing: Each person shares one idea at a time, going around the group repeatedly until all ideas are shared. Record all ideas on a visible board without evaluation
4. Clarification Discussion: For each idea, ask clarifying questions only—no debate or criticism yet
5. Voting/Ranking: Team members individually rate or rank the ideas (often on a scale of 1-5 or distribute points)
6. Discuss Results: Review the voting outcomes, noting which ideas received highest scores and which received mixed ratings
7. Second Round Voting (Optional): After discussion of surprising results, conduct another vote to see if opinions shifted
8. Finalize Priority List: Establish the ranked list of priorities based on voting results

Multi-Voting Process

1. Compile Option List: Create a clear list of all options to be voted on (usually narrowed from brainstorming first)
2. Explain Voting Rules: Communicate how many votes each person has and if they can concentrate votes or must spread them
3. Allocate Votes: Common methods include:
   
   • Dot Voting: Each person gets 2-5 dot stickers to place on their preferred options
   • Point Distribution: Each person receives points to distribute (e.g., 10 points) across options
   • Weighted Voting: First, second, third choices receive different point values (e.g., 3, 2, 1)
4. Tally Results: Count total votes/points for each option
5. Identify Top Choices: Highlight options with highest vote totals
6. Optional Discussion: Discuss any surprising results or significant variations
7. Make Decision: Select top option(s) or use results to inform final decision

Comparison of the Three Techniques

How to Answer Exam Questions on These Topics

Types of Exam Questions You'll Encounter

Six Sigma Black Belt exams typically include:

• Scenario-based questions: "Your team is debating between three improvement approaches. Which technique would best help reach a decision?"
• Definition questions: "Which technique involves silent individual brainstorming followed by group discussion?"
• Process questions: "What is the correct sequence of steps in Nominal Group Technique?"
• Application questions: "When would you use consensus instead of multi-voting?"
• Problem-solving questions: "Your team has one dominant personality and two quiet members. How do you ensure equal participation?"

Framework for Answering Questions

Step 1: Identify What's Being Asked

• Is the question asking you to define a technique?
• Is it asking when/why to use a technique?
• Is it asking how to apply a technique?
• Is it a scenario where you must choose the best technique?

Step 2: Recall Key Characteristics

• For Consensus: Think: agreement, buy-in, time-intensive, small groups, everyone accepts it
• For NGT: Think: silent brainstorming, structured, round-robin sharing, ranking, equal voice
• For Multi-Voting: Think: quick, multiple votes, weighted, many options, less commitment needed

Step 3: Match Technique to Situation

• Ask yourself: What's the goal? (quick decision vs. strong commitment)
• How much time is available?
• How many options are there?
• How important is team buy-in?

Step 4: Construct Your Answer

• State the technique name clearly
• Briefly define it
• Explain why it fits the scenario
• If asked, describe key steps

Sample Exam Questions and How to Answer Them

Question 1: Definition Question
"The Nominal Group Technique is best described as:"

Correct Answer Characteristics:

• Involves individual silent brainstorming
• Followed by structured group discussion
• Results in prioritized/ranked list
• Ensures equal participation

Poor Answer: "When a group votes on options" (too vague, could describe multi-voting)

Strong Answer: "A structured decision-making technique where individuals independently generate ideas, ideas are shared in round-robin fashion without evaluation, clarified as needed, and then ranked through individual voting to create a prioritized list."

Question 2: Scenario Question
"Your Six Sigma team has identified 15 potential root causes of a problem. You need to narrow this down to the top 3 to investigate further. Your team has limited meeting time. Which technique should you use?"

Thought Process:

• Goal: Narrow down many options quickly
• Constraint: Limited time
• Consideration: Need to identify top priorities

Correct Answer: "Multi-voting is most appropriate because: (1) It's quick and can be done in 15-30 minutes, (2) It handles many options efficiently, (3) It provides clear prioritization through voting, and (4) When time is limited, we don't need full consensus."

Question 3: Application Question
"When should a Black Belt choose consensus decision-making over the Nominal Group Technique?"

Correct Answer Elements:

• When buy-in and commitment are critical
• When the decision significantly impacts team members
• When implementation success depends on everyone supporting it
• When time permits deeper discussion
• In smaller groups (5-15 people)

Example Strong Answer: "Consensus is preferable when the decision is strategically important and requires strong team commitment for successful implementation. For example, choosing between fundamental process redesign approaches requires all team members to understand and support the direction. While consensus takes longer than NGT, the stronger buy-in typically results in better implementation and fewer false starts."

Question 4: Process Question
"Which of the following is NOT a step in the Nominal Group Technique?"

Study Strategy: Memorize the exact NGT sequence:

1. Present the question/problem
2. Silent individual brainstorming
3. Round-robin idea sharing (no evaluation)
4. Clarification discussion
5. Individual voting/ranking
6. Discuss results
7. Optional second voting

Watch Out For: Incorrect options might include:

• "Group brainstorming to generate ideas together" (Wrong—NGT emphasizes silent individual brainstorming first)
• "Facilitator chooses the best ideas" (Wrong—team members rank through voting)
• "Immediate criticism of ideas during sharing" (Wrong—NGT explicitly avoids evaluation during sharing)

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Consensus, Nominal Group Technique, and Multi-Voting

Before the Exam

1. Create a Quick Reference Chart: Make a table comparing the three techniques across time, group size, structure, and best uses. Memorize this cold
2. Memorize NGT Steps: The exact sequence matters. Write out the 7 steps multiple times until they're automatic
3. Understand the Philosophy:
   • Consensus = "Buy-in First"
   • NGT = "Structure Ensures Equality"
   • Multi-Voting = "Speed and Simplicity"
4. Practice Scenario Analysis: Create 10-15 practice scenarios and determine which technique applies
5. Learn the Limitations: Know what each technique is not good for
6. Study Common Mistakes: Exam writers often create wrong answers that sound plausible but miss key distinctions

During the Exam

1. Read Questions Carefully: Look for key words:
   
   • "Quick decision" → Multi-voting
   • "Strong commitment needed" → Consensus
   • "Equal participation" → NGT
   • "Narrow down many options" → Multi-voting
2. Eliminate Wrong Answers First: Often easier to spot why three answers are wrong
3. Watch for Trick Language:
   • "Group brainstorming" sounds like NGT but might be referring to a different, less structured method
   • "Everyone agrees" is consensus—but consensus doesn't require 100% agreement on every detail
4. If Two Answers Seem Close: The more specific, structured answer is usually correct for Six Sigma techniques
5. Trust Your Preparation: Don't second-guess yourself on definitions you studied thoroughly
6. Use Process of Elimination: If unsure, eliminate answers that:
   • Use vague language
   • Describe advantages rather than the technique itself
   • Mix elements of different techniques
   • Contradict the fundamental purpose

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Confusing NGT with General Brainstorming:
   Mistake: Saying NGT is just group brainstorming
   Correction: NGT specifically involves silent individual work first, then structured sharing
2. Thinking Consensus Means Unanimous Agreement:
   Mistake: "Consensus is impossible because people have different opinions"
   Correction: Consensus means people can accept the decision even if it wasn't their first choice
3. Assuming Multi-Voting Builds Maximum Buy-in:
   Mistake: Using multi-voting when strong commitment is critical
   Correction: Multi-voting is efficient but builds less commitment than consensus or NGT
4. Using Wrong Technique for Group Size:
   Mistake: Using consensus with 50 people
   Correction: Consensus works best with 5-15 people; use NGT or multi-voting for larger groups
5. Focusing on Speed Over Appropriateness:
   Mistake: Using multi-voting for strategic decisions that need buy-in
   Correction: Match technique to decision importance, not just available time
6. Skipping the Clarification Step in NGT:
   Mistake: Jumping straight from idea sharing to voting
   Correction: Clarification discussion is essential so everyone understands each idea
7. Missing the "Why" Factor:
   Mistake: Answering "which technique" without explaining why it's best
   Correction: Always connect the technique to the situation's constraints and goals

Strategic Answer Structure

For Definition/Identification Questions:

1. Name the technique
2. State its primary purpose
3. Identify 2-3 key characteristics that distinguish it from others

For Scenario/Application Questions:

1. Identify the key constraint or goal (time, commitment, options, group size)
2. Name the most appropriate technique
3. Explain why this technique fits (2-3 reasons)
4. Optionally explain why other techniques wouldn't work as well

For Process/Step Questions:

1. If asked to sequence: Number the steps correctly
2. If asked to identify a step: Describe what happens in that step and why it matters
3. If asked what's NOT a step: Explain what IS supposed to happen instead

Key Phrases to Use in Your Answers

For Consensus:

• "All team members can accept and support the decision"
• "Highest level of commitment and buy-in"
• "Small groups where deep discussion is feasible"

For NGT:

• "Silent individual brainstorming followed by structured group process"
• "Equal voice regardless of personality or status"
• "Results in a ranked or prioritized list"
• "Eliminates groupthink and dominant personality effects"

For Multi-Voting:

• "Quick decision-making method"
• "Handles many options efficiently"
• "Each person distributes multiple votes"
• "Useful when time is limited"
• "Provides clear quantitative prioritization"

Final Exam Strategy

The 60-Second Technique Selection Process:

1. Read scenario (10 seconds): What's the main challenge? (time, commitment, options, group size)
2. Recall technique characteristics (20 seconds): Which technique handles this best?
3. Verify your choice (20 seconds): Does this fit? Are there constraints that rule it out?
4. Eliminate wrong answers (10 seconds): Why would the other techniques be inferior?

Remember: Six Sigma exams reward precision. A slightly incomplete answer about the correct technique beats a perfect explanation of the wrong technique. When in doubt, choose the technique that best fits the stated constraints or goals in the question.

Post-Exam Review

If you get a question wrong:

• Identify if you misread the question
• Check if you confused concepts
• Determine if you didn't know the material
• Add the question type to your next study session

The techniques of consensus, NGT, and multi-voting are core Six Sigma Black Belt team management knowledge. Strong understanding of when and how to apply each technique will serve you well on the exam and in your actual Black Belt projects.