Computational modelling of teamwork in design

Abstract

Computational simulation has been long established across research areas for modelling the behaviour of complex, multivariable and socio-technical systems. In the computational study of teamwork in design, the focus is set on capturing dynamic interactions between the individual team members within their environment using multi-agent systems. Agent-based simulation (ABS) provides a platform to inductively develop and examine theories on human behaviour in design that have the potential to inform experimental research. This chapter aims to outline the role of agent-based simulation in design drawing from a multidimensional framework for computational modelling. This research approach is applied to examine group support at the time of creative breakthroughs. The chapter concludes with guidelines for the use of agent-based simulation in design research.