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Early Delphi projects used printed questionnaires, manual analyses, and the mails. Results were excellent, but from today's perspective the process was slow, cumbersome, and expensive. Starting in the 1970's, Delphi projects were undertaken in meetings, using new computer technologies. Participants entered their opinions secretly via small, hand-held terminals. A computer would tabulate responses and display them to the group. Those innovations provided both advantages and disadvantages. Face-to-face discussions facilitated exchange of ideas. The moderator could keep a group on focus and moving forward. Immediate feedback enabled multiple rounds to be compressed into a few meetings. On the other hand, only contributions entered via terminals could be anonymous. Views of individual panelists, if frankly expressed, would become obvious during discussions. That and other group pressures diminished the likelihood of full and honest participation by all panelists. Hand-held terminals had limited capabilities. Then as now, meetings required synchronizing schedules and significant expense for travel and lodging. | ||