Interaction analysis during management and design team meetings

Nottingham University, UKManagement and design team meetings provide a central forum for requesting and exchanging information necessary to ensure the successful and timely completion of the construction project. Whilst such meetings are common to the vast majority of construction projects, little is known about the professional involvement and interaction during the meetings. By observing and quantifying interactions using the Bales (1951) Interaction Process Analysis (IPA) Technique important insights have be made. The Bales IPA provides a system for observing, analysing and interpreting social interaction in small face-to-face groups. The method is used to identify who is interacting and classify the interaction (statements) into either one of six socio-emotional categories or one of six task related categories. The paper presents the findings of an ongoing research project that involves, inter alia, four case studies where data on the interaction of management and design teams were collected during site meetings. The results show interaction patterns, the frequency of the participants' active contribution, and the professionals attending the meetings. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis the issue of control, power and leadership are discussed.