Evaluating effect of first year engineering teams' performance using the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) assessment tool

Abstract

The Engineering Department at the University of San Diego with the support of Personal Strength Partners (PSP) is currently using Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), an assessment tool based on the Relationship Awareness Theory of Dr. Elias Porter. The assessment tool is used to educate the team members about each other. The theory behind the tool is that all behavior is based on motivation and that motivation changes in conflict. The tool is intended to provide an effective means for understanding one-self and for understanding others so that interpersonal relationships can be mutually productive. The tool has proven to be essential in enhancing communication and preventing conflict in different types of environments. While Myers Briggs and other assessment tools have previously been used in teaming to understand personality types and preferences, the SDI goes further by identifying the conflict sequence an individual goes through when things are not going well. In addition, SDI provides insight on how peers will potentially respond during the conflict and opposition. The well known Tuckman model provides stages for team transformation (forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning). However during short projects such as a semester long course, the model may not be adequate. We need a tool or model to assist teams to become effective and perform in a relative short period of time. Our focus in this study is on the performance evaluation of teams in a classroom environment with a comparison of teams exposed to the SDI tool versus teams with no knowledge of the assessment tool. The SDI team members are expected to learn how to communicate better with their peers through acceptance and appreciation while avoiding conflict which will may deteriorate or delay the success of the team. If conflict is prevented the team is able to reduce the amount of time at the "storming" stage, therefore becoming more effective in a shorter time period. In this paper, we provide an analysis of the preliminary results based on observation and statistical analysis. The pilot group is comprised of freshman engineering students utilizing the assessment tool to study their effectiveness and hopefully aid in the success of a team assignment. We show examples of the assessment tool as well as activities to assist in the interpretation of results and recommendations. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2008.