American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

In what scenario is the Delphi technique most effective?

1. When developing a promotional campaign for a local event.

2. When seeking consensus between conflicting groups.

3. When conducting a public referendum.

4. When organizing an advocacy-based plan.

The correct answer is: When seeking consensus between conflicting groups.

The Delphi technique is particularly effective in scenarios where consensus is sought among diverse or conflicting groups. This structured communication method relies on a panel of experts who participate in multiple rounds of questioning, allowing them to revise their opinions based on group feedback. As the rounds progress, the goal is to converge towards a common ground, leading to a more collaborative decision-making process. In the context of conflict between groups, the Delphi technique allows for anonymous input, which can reduce the pressure of direct confrontation and enable participants to focus on issues rather than personalities. It fosters an environment where differing viewpoints can be expressed freely, thus facilitating a deeper understanding of the perspectives involved and promoting a collaborative approach to finding solutions. Other contexts, such as developing promotional campaigns or advocacy-based plans, may benefit from expert input but do not typically require the same level of consensus-building that the Delphi technique is designed to facilitate. A public referendum involves direct voting and may not leverage the iterative feedback process that characterizes the Delphi method.