Understanding the Delphi Method

Today's world presents many issues that are too complex and require too many kinds of specialized expertise for one person to address them comprehensively and with confidence.

Delphi is a systematic, flexible way for a well selected group to collaborate in dealing with designated issues. Key elements of the method are:

1.	A deliberately constituted panel;
2.	Full and flexible interaction between panelists;
3.	Comprehensive feedback of panelists' input;
4.	Guaranteed anonymity of contributions;
5.	Successive iterations through the issues until consensus is reached or further rounds are seen as unlikely to yield significant change;
6.	Project guidance by an experienced consultant/moderator.

A typical Delphi panel consists of experts in disciplines relevant to the questions at issue, executives, and representatives of affected constituencies.  Insofar as possible, a panel should cover the waterfront.

As necessary, panelists receive background information on the subjects to be addressed in the project.

Projects begin with an opening questionnaire designed to elicit participants' views, reasons, comments, and suggestions for approaching the defined objectives. At intervals, panelists receive summaries and tabulations of the group's input. Projects evolve in response to panelists' interactions.