113 Architecture questions - How do you manage an interdisciplinary team?
How do you manage an interdisciplinary team?
Every architectural project is developed and built by a team of different specialists. While the planning phase can take place in the clean, laboratory-like environment of an engineering office, the realisation of a construction project takes place in the often adverse environment of a building site. Both the planning and realisation teams are made up of different disciplines, but must work hand in hand.
Planning teams are made up of architects and engineers from different disciplines, who often tend to focus solely on their own areas of expertise. Our task as generalist architects is to bring these different perspectives together and to direct the views of all those involved in one direction. Namely on the big picture, the project that is to be created.
As in any team, it is necessary for each individual to understand the issues of the others involved. The project manager must therefore ensure that every team member can express their issues, but must channel them in such a way that no imbalance in content arises.
In addition to the technical and content-related egocentricity, a human aspect must always be taken into account in an interdisciplinary team. In conflict situations in particular, the focus is often no longer on content-related issues, but on personal vanity. In these difficult situations, all team members must be re-committed to the common goal of the project.
A ground-breaking ceremony and topping-out ceremony are not only welcome diversions, but also important team-building events. Bringing together tradespeople from different companies and often speaking different languages to form a team is a challenge. Respect for each other's work is the basis for working together.
Ultimately, however, enthusiasm for the common goal is the key to successful teamwork: the "why" of the "Golden Circle".
