Using the nominal group technique to elicit roadblocks to an MRP II implementation

Abstract The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was used as one element of an action research program with a Fortune 100 company to facilitate a Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) implementation. The results of a NGT with the project team were that top management involvement was seen as the most critical roadblock to the implementation. This diagnosis led to a NGT with top management where top management diagnosed the need for more education and more top management involvement. It is argued that the NGT process, because it is general and robust, is particularly effective in dealing with the human and structural issues of a MRP II or Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) implementation.