Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Practice Test

What is the nominal group technique primarily used for?

1. Legal decision-making processes.

2. Generating alternatives and selecting among them.

3. Randomly selecting project teams.

4. Creating long-term strategic plans.

The correct answer is: Generating alternatives and selecting among them.

The nominal group technique is a structured method for group brainstorming that encourages input from all members before discussions take place. It is primarily used for generating alternatives and selecting among them, which makes it highly effective in decision-making contexts where multiple perspectives are valuable. The process typically starts with individuals writing down their ideas independently, followed by a round-robin sharing of these ideas within the group. This is often followed by a ranking or voting process to prioritize the options generated. This method ensures that all participants have an equal voice, reducing the influence of dominant personalities and fostering a more balanced and comprehensive approach to problem-solving or decision-making. In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary purpose of the nominal group technique. Legal decision-making processes require specific legal frameworks and considerations that are more complex than what the nominal group technique addresses. Randomly selecting project teams involves methods focused on equity and diversity rather than the collaborative brainstorming and selection process central to the nominal group technique. While creating long-term strategic plans may involve brainstorming, it encompasses a broader strategic framework that typically includes extensive analysis and forecasting, which goes beyond the technique’s focused approach to generating and selecting ideas.