Planning the Delphi Way

07/13/2004

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...'Wow! What a ride!'" - Author Unknown

Planning the Delphi Way

If you are entering into a planning project with a large group and wish to objectively assess the will of the group, the Delphi Technique may be worth your consideration. In Managing Education for Results (1983: Etc Publications -- available on Amazon), Richard Hostrop describes how this technique works:

Step 1: Have all group members complete a questionnaire where they provide a brief list of what are considered by them to be major goals or recommended targets for action of the project.

Step 2: Distribute to all group members a complete list of all responses from step 1 (eliminating duplicates). Ask them to rate every item on this list in terms of its importance and its probability of success.

Step 3: Compile a report based on the ratings in step 2 recommending a consensus course of action. Give individuals an opportunity to change their views, to raise questions about this course of action, or to propose refinements.

For more suggestions on approaches to planning in the early childhood setting, go to Exchange Articles Online and type in the keyword "planning" at:

http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0244

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