Group aided decision making is a collaborative process where multiple individuals analyze problems and evaluate alternatives to reach a solution. Techniques like brainstorming, dialectical inquiry, nominal group technique, and delphi technique facilitate diverse input and consensus among group members. While group decision making can reduce bias and enhance understanding, it may also lead to groupthink and dominance by more powerful individuals.

1. GROUP AIDED
DECISION MAKING
Touqeer Ahmed

2. What is Group Aided Decision Making?
• Group decision making is a type of participatory process in which multiple
individuals acting collectively, analyze problems or situations, consider and
evaluate alternative courses of action, and select from among the alternatives
a solution or solutions.
• The number of people involved in group decision-making varies greatly, but
often ranges from two to seven

3. GROUP DECISION MAKING METHODS
1) BRAINSTORMING
Brainstorming involves group members verbally suggesting ideas or alternative
courses of action. The "brainstorming session" is usually relatively unstructured.
The situation at hand is described in as much detail as necessary so that group
members have a complete understanding of the issue or problem.
Example:
In National Assembly, a Minister or a member may give notice of a motion that
any policy may be discussed by the Assembly.

4. 2) DIALETICAL INQUIRY
Dialectical inquiry is a group decision-making technique that focuses on ensuring
full consideration of alternatives. Essentially, it involves dividing the group into
opposing sides, which debate the advantages and disadvantages of proposed
solutions or decisions.
Example:
National Assembly has Government and opposition benches to ensure
consideration of all alternatives.
It is designed that way to make sure all point of views are heard.

5. 3) NOMINAL GROUP TECHNIQUE
The nominal group technique is a structured decision making process in which
group members are required to compose a comprehensive list of their ideas or
proposed alternatives in writing. The group members usually record their ideas
privately. Once finished, each group member is asked, in turn, to provide one
item from their list until all ideas or alternatives have been publicly recorded on
a flip chart or marker board.
Example:
Lawmakers prepare bills privately and then present them in front of assembly

6. 4) DELPHI TECHNIQUE
The Delphi technique is a group decision-making process that can be used by
decision-making groups when the individual members are in different physical
locations. In the Delphi technique, each group member is asked to
independently provide ideas, input, and/or alternative solutions to the decision
problem in successive stages. After each stage in the process, other group
members ask questions and alternatives are ranked or rated in some fashion.
After an indefinite number of rounds, the group eventually arrives at a
consensus decision on the best course of action.

7. Advantages
◦ An advantage to involving groups in decision-making is that you can
incorporate different perspectives and ideas.
◦ Having a diverse decision making group tends to reduce the effects of bias on
the outcome.
e.g. a hiring committee made up of an equal number of men and women, the
bias should be cancelled out, resulting in more applicants being hired based
on their qualifications rather than their physical attributes.

8. Advantages cont.…
◦ Brainstorming is a process of generating as many solutions or options as
possible and is a popular technique associated with group decision-making
◦ Involving people who will be affected by a decision in the decision-making
process will allow those individuals to have a greater understanding of the
issues or problems

9. Disadvantages
◦ Groupthink occurs when group members choose not to voice their concerns or
objections because they would rather keep the peace and not annoy others.
◦ Often, one individual in the group has more power or exerts more influence
than others and discourages those with differing opinions from speaking up

10. Real life Example
◦ National Assembly of Pakistan consists of 342 elected Lawmakers
◦ Through its debates, adjournment motion, and Standing Committees, the
National Assembly keeps check over the Executive and ensures that the
government functions within the parameters set out in the Constitution

11. Detailed Video

12. Thank you!