Measuring shared understanding of task -specific knowledge in slower -paced, non -emergency decision -making teams: A case study of shared mental models in United States Navy personnel qualification standards (PQS) teams

Abstract

Teams are a distinguishable group of two or more individuals who work together on a common objective for a limited period of time. Successful completion of complex tasks often requires teams. For teams to work well, individual team members need a similar understanding about the task process they are to perform. Although research on shared understanding in teams has surfaced in the literature over the past 10 years, little is known about the development of shared understanding in slower-paced and non-emergency decision-making teams as they work in an applied setting. This study introduces and implements a new methodology for investigating the development of shared understanding about task-specific knowledge and measuring shared mental models in U.S. Navy Performance Qualification Standards (PQS) Teams. Findings indicate what knowledge PQS Teams share pre-task, mid-task, and post-task performance. Conclusions based on a cross case analysis of four PQS Teams provide insight into the development of teams\u27 shared knowledge, the change in teams\u27 shared knowledge overtime, and the effect of task performance on shared understanding in PQS Teams. This study concludes with suggestions for future research in team shared mental models