Table 2 Comparison of original NGT steps and the modified process and brief descriptions

Step 1: Generating ideas

Moderator directs participants to write their ideas in brief phases or statements

Step 1: Describe identified evidence practice gaps

Presentation about the evidence-practice gap literature review, with a brief summary for each gap provided

Step 2: Present local data/information about the gaps

Presentation about national, jurisdictional and local data gathered to support the gaps

Step 2: Recording idea

Round robin feedback session to concisely record each idea

Step 3: Elicit feedback and record additional gaps identified by participants

Elicit feedback about relevance and appropriateness of evidence-practice gaps in the local service setting. Opportunity for participants to nominate additional local gaps

Step 3: Clarify, rank ideas

Participants express relative importance of each idea

Step 4: Individuals vote privately to prioritise the ideas, using moderator-created criteria

Participants privately rate each gap

Step 4: Individuals vote privately to prioritise gaps, using moderator-created criteria

Participants privately rate each gap using Likert scale on the matrix tool

Step 5: Each participant selects the five most important items from the prioritised list

Each participant ranks top five ideas, with the highest receiving 5 and lowest 1

Step 5: Each participant selects the two most important gaps from the prioritised list

Each participant ranks top two gaps, with the highest receiving 2 and the lowest receiving 1

Step 6: Moderator creates tally sheet

The most highly rated ideas are the most favoured actions

Step 6: Focus group participants discuss ratings and moderator uses matrix tool as a tally sheet

In focus groups, participants share their ratings, speaking in turn to list their top two gaps and provide any clarification for their choices. Responses are recorded by a group facilitator on the matrix sheet in ‘Dotmocracy’ style

Step 7: Whole group consensus

Small groups reform back into a larger group to review and discuss the gaps and resolve any differences to reach consensus

Step 8. Investment exercise

Each participant asked to spend 100 fictitious dollars across each gap. Dollars are tallied and feedback provided to whole group