I use this video in-class to explain the process of Multi-voting, also known as the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). Multi-voting is a great tool to use when you are working in teams, and need to make a decision or choice. Multi-voting is a fair, equal and fast way to get different people to reach a consensus.
Text Video Explanation of Multi-Voting
I usually try introduce this technique early in a module so that students have a decision-making technique that they can use later if they wish. It’s always interesting for me that the vast majority of students who know about this technique really like it and use it over and over.
If you play this video in class, you might like to skip the start and play from the 00:49 mark (which is what I do in-class).
The captions in the video above are manually created (which means they’re working well), but if you prefer to read text, or are visually impaired then you can read the explanation below:
Text Explanation of Multi-Voting
Hi I’m Dorcas. I’m here to discuss multi-voting, which is also known as ‘weighted voting’, ‘accumulation voting’, or the ‘nominal group technique’. This method is reminiscent of the approach used in the Irish electoral system of proportional representation. Multi-voting provides an efficient way to make decisions or vote when in a group, especially when it’s challenging to make a choice due to the absence of a clear standout option. One of the advantages of this system is that it ensures fairness among the group members.
Let’s delve into its practical application. Imagine being at the end of an ‘IDEATION’ stage. You’ve brainstormed and discussed various ideas, and now it’s crucial to select one to progress with. The initial step is to decide if some ideas should be vetoed. As an illustration, consider a scenario where a team is brainstorming new pizza recipes. The team might choose to eliminate ideas like those including pork as an ingredient or those that are prohibitively expensive to make, such as a pizza with an edible gold crust. This filtering can be beneficial, particularly when there’s a vast array of ideas to sift through.
Following that, the next step revolves around vote allocation. Each participant should be allotted a set number of votes. Based on my recommendation, this typically ranges between three and five votes per person. For instance, in a group of five, each member might receive three votes. A system could be devised where the top choice garners three points, the second two points, and the third one point.
The third step is all about visual representation. Even though in the video we used dots to signify votes, imagine each person marking their preferences. A member might award three points (or dots) to their top choice, like a ‘grapes and cheddar’ pizza. Their subsequent favorites would receive two and one point respectively. Once everyone has cast their votes, the idea with the most collective points emerges as the winner.
At times, there could be a tie with two or more ideas amassing an equal number of points. In such instances, the group can either discuss and select one or employ the multi-voting system once more.
That, in essence, is multi-voting. It’s a handy tool to streamline decisions in a group setting. I hope you find it beneficial!
