What is the Delphi Method?
The Delphi method from T.J. Gordon, Olaf Helmer, and Norman Dalkey is a
technique that can be used to structure a group communication process to deal
with a complex problem. The Delphi Method is based on the
Dialectical Inquiry approach:
Thesis (establishing an opinion or view), Antithesis (conflicting
opinion or view) and finally Synthesis (a new agreement or consensus).
The synthesis then becomes the new thesis. It helps to build consensus about
a particular complex topic. Without the necessity for the contributors to
meet in person. A panel of experts formulates a set of hypotheses about the
future state of the topic in question. These are distributed to the participants.
Their anonymous comments then get integrated into modified hypotheses. The
iterative process continues until consensus is achieved on the hypotheses.
Origin of the Delphi Method. History
Of course, the method originates from the modus operandi of the Greek Oracle
at Delphi. The modern Delphi concept was a spinoff of defense research. "Project
Delphi" was the name given to a Rand Corporation study, starting in the
early 1950s, and sponsored by the US Air Force. The study concerned the usage
of expert opinion. The objective of the original study was to "obtain the
most reliable consensus of opinion of a group of experts ... by a series of
intensive questionnaires interspersed with controlled opinion feedback". A
1964 report (by Gordon and Helmer) assessed the direction of long-term trends
in science and technology development. The report covered such topics as scientific
breakthroughs, population control, automation, space progress, war prevention
and weapon systems.
Usage of the Delphi Method. Applications
- Forecast a specific, single-dimension future issue.
- Consensus building.
- Avoiding Groupthink and
the Spiral of Silence.
- Generating creative ideas.
Steps in the Delphi Method. Process
Fowles (1978) describes the following ten steps for the Delphi method:
- Formation of a Delphi team to undertake and to monitor the project.
- Selection of one or more panels to participate in the exercise. Customarily,
the participants are experts in the investigation area.
- Development of the first round Delphi questionnaire.
- Testing the questionnaire for proper wording (e.g., ambiguities, vagueness).
- Transmission of the first questionnaires to the panelists.
- Analysis of the first round responses.
- Preparation of the second round questionnaires (and possible testing).
- Transmission of the second round questionnaires to the panelists.
- Analysis of the second round responses. (Steps 7 to 9 are reiterated
as long as desired or necessary to achieve stability in the results.)
- Preparation of a report by the analysis team to present the conclusions
of the exercise.
Strengths of the Delphi Method. Benefits
- Rapid consensus.
- Participants can reside anywhere in the world.
- Coverage of wide range of expertise.
- Avoids Groupthink.
- Forecasting a specific, single-dimension question.
Limitations of the Delphi Method. Disadvantages
- Cross impact is neglected in the original form.
- Does not cope well with paradigm shifts.
- Success of the method depends on the quality of the participants.
- One should watch out for:
- Imposing preconceptions or Monitor's own view.
- Ignoring and not sufficiently investigating disagreements.
- Underestimating the demanding nature of the Delphi Method.
Assumptions of the Delphi Method. Conditions
- Well-informed individuals, using their insights and experience, are
better equipped to predict the future than theoretical approaches or extrapolation
of trends.
- Complex problem.
- Participating experts have no history of adequate communication.
- Experts should represent diverse backgrounds with respect to experience
or expertise.
- Exchange of ideas in a meeting is impossible or unpractical.
- Disagreements are grave or politically unpleasant.
Forum discussions about the Delphi Method.
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Can we Have Two Expert Panels in Delphi?
When we would like to create a Minimum Data Set, is it OK if we send a list of items with a Likert scale to a group of researchers, then analyze the results and run the second Round of Delphi with cli...
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Delphi Technique Delphi Method Education Presentation by Roger Lee on the Delphi Method includes:
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Compare with Delphi Method: Brainstorming
| Mind Mapping |
Groupthink |
Spiral of Silence
| Six Thinking Hats
| Metaplan |
Scenario Planning |
Game Theory |
Cause and Effect Diagram
| Root Cause Analysis
| 8D Problem Solving
| Dialectical Inquiry
| Analogical
Strategic Reasoning |
Pyramid Principle
| Theory of Constraints
| Johari Window
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