Abstract
The Delphi technique has become generally accepted in the past decade by a broad
range of institutions, government departments, and policy research organizations. The
Delphi method was originally developed in the 50s by the RAND Corporation after a
series of studies in Santa Monica, California. This approach consists of a survey
conducted in two or more rounds and affords the participants in the second round with
the results of the first so that they can alter the original assessments if they want to -
or stick to their previous opinion. It is commonly presumed that the method makes
better use of group interaction whereby the questionnaire is the medium of
interaction. The Delphi method is especially useful for long-range forecasting, as
expert opinions are the only source of information available. The objective of this
paper is to outline how the Delphi technique process was used to predict and to
understand issues encircling housing satisfaction in South Africa low-income
housing. The paper objective is based on the premise that the technique has never
been used to study housing satisfaction amongst the low income group in South
Africa despite the numerous empirical studies that has been conducted; hence the
framework. This is because the Delphi approach solicits expert’s view on subjects
surrounded with confusion. The methodological approach adopted for the study was a
content analysis of published peer reviewed journal articles with regards to the use of
the techniques in housing studies. The Delphi technique is discussed because it is an
approved and credible research technique which helps to overcome experts’
disagreement with issues.