Building design team communication: practice and education.

Abstract

This study examined three propositions: - (i) there are problems in the building design team created by difficulties of communication between different professional disciplines, (ii) communication difficulties are primarily a function of cultural differences instilled by vocational education, and (iii) communication gaps require educational initiatives able to bridge cultural differences instilled by vocational traditions in the educational process. To achieve the most efficient process and ultimately a more effective product, building design team professionals must maximise their capacity for integrated activity and inter-professional communication. The nature of inter-professional relationships, and their development through the group formation process, is presented as a central consideration in the analysis of building design team communication. The rationale and methodological development of the study seeks to understand whether differences in inter-professional interaction are largely a matter of values and attitudes, and whether these can be modified by training to improve communication in the building design team. Research examines whether influencing positively professional attitudes at the formative stage addresses inter-disciplinary dissonance. This study establishes a link between education for the construction industry, and the adverse affects of perceived professional discord. This study goes beyond current conflictual opinion regarding the structure of specialised education for construction, and presents evidence that, handled correctly, future tertiary education can provide the most suitable antecedent for a more efficiently integrated building industry.