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This paper describes a study that compared the use of consensual, nominal, and conventional decision-making techniques in established and ad hoc groups. The impact of the structural interventions on group decision quality and group attitudes is examined and the appropriateness of the techniques in various situation is discussed. Findings of the study indicate that the nominal technique is particularly well suited to situations in which time is a critical factor, while the consensual technique is apparently better suited to situations in which decision quality is critical. Both the nominal and consensual techniques appear to yield better results than conventional decision-making methods do. (Author/JG)

It is recognized that there is a major gap between the promises of large data bases and optimization and simulation models and their actual ability to solve real world problems. This document describes a Generalized Data Base Planning System (GPLAN), currently being developed at Purdue University, that is proposed as a system to bridge this gap. A number of systems contain some of the components of GPLAN, and a survey of each system is presented with details of its contribution to GPLAN design. Research on two systems at Purdue is directly leading to the development of GPLAN. One application is concerned with the development of a regional water pollution control planning system; the other is an interactive information system design package. The authors suggest that GPLAN is as much a major advance over a Generalized Data Management System (GDMS) as a GDMS is a major advance over application programs with formatted sequential files. A bibliography is included. Diagrams may reproduce poorly. (Author/DN)