Because of this complexity, there is no rational technique that can be used to forecast the future. Thus, the best method for projecting future trends and events is to gather as much information as possible and then to depend on subconscious information processing and personal intuition to provide useful insights. The Delphi Survey technique is a method for taking advantage of the talent, experience, and knowledge of a number of experts in a structured manner that allows an exchange of divergent views without direct confrontation. The technique involves initial projections, usually in quantitative terms, of future events. After the initial projections are correlated, participants are asked to explain, anonymously, their differences in a series of follow-up rounds.
Results are normally semi-quantitative.
Uncover fundamental differences of opinion. Identify non-conventional ideas and concepts. Nominal Group Conferencing is a formal technique for structuring the input from a number of subject matter experts. To silently assess the ideas of others. To jointly examine the implications of new ideas with others.