[praptak]

Forming committees is mostly useful for avoiding responsibility. If I make a bad technical decision then I get flak. If I organize a committee to justify that decision then I might even get points for "leadership". Also, if the decision is bad then I'm not personally responsible.

To paraphrase: "Don't attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by covering one's ass".

[zelphirkalt]

Although there could be legitimate hope, that one of the other people is not clueless and will bring up important points. Not necessarily only "covering ones ass", but probably also a responsible thing to do, when making an important decision. At least, if the list of people actually includes technical people who have experience with the matter.

[inglor_cz]

Just yesterday, someone quoted Paul Hamming on the fact that scientists who have "open doors policy" are more successful long-term.

I have never formally formed a committee, but I often organized small one-off or semiregular circles to get differing opinions on some matter and/or to understand how to align interests. And I believe it paid off for me, usually in form of a better design or a useful shortcut around an otherwise long and dark path.