You are aiming to establish a core research team who are all going in the same direction based on a shared vision and values. Many research projects focus on the skills that individuals bring without considering whether team members have a compatible vision and values. This road-map invites you to dedicate time exploring together the philosophies and values that you share. Contained in this resource is:
- A team member role map
- Team member role cards, containing qualities and values of the role
Conversations at an early point will help to avoid conflict later in the process. Particularly if you also agree processes to resolve challenges and the mechanisms that might help support with this process.
Turn the cards so that the description is facing you. Ask team members to identify which description they most relate to. Note down the number. Is there a second card that team members can relate to?
Turn the cards over and identify which roles you might be able to fill within this project. Using the Team Member Role Map you can make a note of where people fit within the framework and identify any gaps that you might have.
Questions you may wish to ask at this point in the process:
- Do we have a good spread of roles?
- Are there any gaps that we might need to fill?
- How can we ensure that we continue to align to these roles?
1. Contribution
Gets things done.
Turns the team’s ideas and concepts into practical actions and plans.
Pushes the team to make sure the work is completed on time.
2. Contribution
Empowers and inspires the team.
Understands the bigger picture.
Brings out the best in people.
Listens critically and shapes the research.
3. Contribution
Having optimism and positive attitude towards challenges.
More innovative ideas might succeed.
Solves the practical issues of organising the research.
4. Contribution
Communicating someone’s story with others in an imaginative way.
Evokes emotions through storytelling.
Putting other people in the heart of the conversation.
5. Contribution
Tests and re-tests potential scenarios to make ideas tangible.
Generates ideas.
Brings positive energy to the team.
Encourages creativity.
6. Contribution
Through empathy, a humaniser works to understand each individual participant and create a relationship.
Being the voice of other people when they are not there.
7. Contribution
Works between physical and digital platforms.
Makes things to generate and refine ideas.
Communicates ideas to others in a tangible, interactive way.
Has knowledge of various materials and making processes.
8. Contribution
Is able to relate to a concept or theory and visualise how it might inform practice.
Understands theoretical positions from different disciplines.
Combines theories from different disciplines in a novel way to inform design research practice.
9. Contribution
Reframes a problem in a new way.
Understands context.
Seeks inspiration in unusual places.
Has experience in ethnographic practices.
10. Contribution
Understands people with different perspectives, needs and expectations.
Draws associations and connections between seemingly unrelated ideas.
Has the ability to share inspiration with others.
As you are facilitating the activities, it’s important that another team member is in charge of capturing the discussions and decisions.
For the team member role activities we have enclosed 2 worksheets to help in capturing an overview and to consider strategies for resolving conflict within the team:
- Team Member Role Map
- Resolving challenges
