Team mental models in design problem solving: An interdisciplinary perspective

The chapter deals with the dynamic development of sharedness of mental models in design problem solving. It presents an overview of prior studies in the field, and discusses the important role of mental models in team collaboration and team coordination. A basic tenet is that sharedness of individual mental models is achieved through verbal communication. Thus, the theoretical framework hinges on the assessment of verbal communication and its further interpretation. In order to assess, 'measure', and finally compare verbal communication, a categorization system of different utterances is created. This is explicitly derived from the theoretical approach of the behaviour of teams in complex environments. Two different design teams belonging to the engineering and architectural disciplines are analyzed specifically with regard to how problems demanding creativity are approached. Meetings of teams solving complex design problems in the early stage of idea generation are studied. A major emphasis is placed on how verbal communication influences team collaboration, sharedness of mental models, and design creativity. How cognitive mechanisms such as constructing analogies and applying mental simulation influence team dynamics is also discussed. Finally, recommendations for supporting sharedness and collaboration in creative design are suggested for practitioners and educators.