Problem-solving in groups
Putting several capable people in a room doesn't automatically produce a better answer. How the group shares and tests ideas matters more than how clever each member is.
Groups help, under conditions
Groups solve problems well when they combine diverse knowledge, share information fully, generate options before evaluating them and test ideas critically. Common failures include one voice dominating, members withholding unique information and converging too early. Structured techniques such as silent idea generation, rotating turns and assigned critics help avoid these problems.
Group problem-solving techniques
| Technique | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Brainwriting | Members write ideas silently before sharing | Generating options without dominance |
| Nominal group technique | Silent ideas, round-robin sharing, then voting | Prioritizing solutions |
| Devil's advocate | One person argues against the leading idea | Testing assumptions |
| Six thinking hats | Group adopts one perspective at a time | Structured exploration |
| Pre-mortem | Imagine the solution failed and explain why | Identifying risks |
| Divide and integrate | Subgroups tackle parts, then combine | Complex, multi-part problems |
The shared-information problem
Research on group decision-making has shown that members often discuss information everyone already knows rather than unique information only one person has. Social pressure, status differences and desire for harmony reduce disagreement. Organizational research on team conflict suggests that when disagreements turn personal, satisfaction and performance tend to suffer, so structuring discussion around the task helps.
A short scenario
A product team keeps choosing the manager's first suggestion. They switch to brainwriting: everyone writes three solutions in five minutes, ideas are shared anonymously and scored against criteria. The chosen solution comes from a junior engineer who rarely spoke in meetings.
Tips for facilitators
- Separate idea generation from evaluation.
- Ask each person for information only they have.
- Have the most senior person speak last.
- Define success criteria before choosing.
Group problem-solving questions
Are groups better at problem-solving than individuals?+−
They can be when information is shared well and ideas are tested critically.
What is brainwriting?+−
A technique where people write ideas silently before discussing them.
How do you stop one person dominating?+−
Use silent idea generation and round-robin sharing.
Why do groups miss important information?+−
Discussion tends to focus on what everyone already knows.
How big should a problem-solving group be?+−
Small groups of roughly four to six people often work well: large enough for varied knowledge, small enough that everyone contributes.
How do you know if a group decision was good?+−
Judge the process: was unique information shared, were alternatives considered, were risks tested before committing?
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Sources and further reading
- Journal of Applied Psychology (De Dreu & Weingart, 2003) / PubMed: Task versus relationship conflict, team performance, and team member satisfaction: A meta-analysis
- American Psychologist (Neisser et al., 1996) / ERIC: Intelligence: Knowns and Unknowns
- PubMed Central: The Looking Glass for Intelligence Quotient Tests