Assignment of engineers to constructions project teams based on Person-Team Fit

Abstract

The construction industry is project-oriented. The dynamic nature of the construction projects makes team deployment inevitable for responding to changing project needs. Thus, proper team selection is vital to achieving project objectives. Although many previous studies have remarked the importance of the provision of team chemistry, when it comes to practicality, the main emphasis has always been on the individuals’ competencies. Therefore, this gap is addressed by developing a two-step model based on the concept and principles of Person-Team fit, which considers two aspects for effective team selection; supplementary person team fit (SF) and complementary person team fit (CF). While CF can be achieved through the measurement of individuals’ competencies, SF is a function of team members’ preferences in working with their teammates. The model was applied in the selection of small teams in an industrial project. The results revealed that the proposed framework is capable to provide fitness between person and team. The aim of this research is to provide project managers with a new tool for team selection which simultaneously considers quality collaboration among team members and complementary support in individual competencies. Also, the findings suggest employee participation as a key step toward effective team selection.