Volker, L and Prins, M (2006) Critical reflections on measuring the effect of steering activities in architectural design. In: Boyd, D (ed.) Proceedings of 22nd Annual ARCOM Conference, 4-6 September 2006, Birmingham, UK.
Abstract
In the field of architectural design management it is hard to find empirical evidence that describes the actual effect of managing designers. This paper reflects critical considerations in developing a research design to establish an empirical connection between steering and value creation in architectural design. Based on a literature review two relevant types of design management are distinguished: instrumental steering and human steering. Instrumental steering implies the use of tools and techniques to coordinate and distribute design information, while human steering refers to leadership, vision and interpersonal skills. In this research project design value is seen in two ways: as the sum of the complementary parts or more holistically as wholeness. Hypothesis is that different kinds of steering will influence different kinds of values. After considering several difficulties in measuring the effects of steering during the design phase, a first step is made towards the development of an appropriate research method. This step involves studying the selection of architectural firms during European tenders.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | design management; measurement; research methods; value |
| Index terms: | value creation, design management, project design, reflection, design phase, architectural design, interpersonal skill, evidence, architectural firm, designer, research design, literature review |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, professional practice, profession, professional development, data analysis and analytics, human factors and perception, economic development, evaluation and assessment methods, business, design practice, research design and methodology, design process |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Procurement, Design Practice, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Sustainability, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here