Impact of Team Integration and Group Cohesion on Project Delivery Performance

TLDR

The AEC industry is criticized for a fragmented approach, with traditional procurement isolating designers from contractors and limiting collaboration. This study introduces a structural modeling approach to examine how integration affects building construction project performance. Using data from 204 completed projects, the authors modeled team integration and group cohesion as latent constructs mediating the relationship between delivery methods and performance. Integrated teams engaged more participants across all construction levels through design charrettes, joint goal setting, and other collaborative activities.

Abstract

AbstractThe architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is often criticized for its fragmented approach to project delivery. Traditional procurement and contracting intentionally serves to isolate designers from contractors to provide checks and balances, but limits opportunities for collaboration. This research presents a structural modeling approach to studying the role of integration in the performance of building construction projects. A sample data set of 204 completed projects was collected to compare cost, schedule, and quality performance under different delivery methods. Integration of project teams was proposed and tested in the form of two latent constructs—team integration and group cohesion—that mediate the link between delivery methods and performance. More integrated teams interacted with more participants from all levels of the building construction process, from designers to specialty trade contractors. These interactions included design charrettes, joint goal setting, and ...