Effective group decision-making: A framework for the identification phase of building projects

Groups rather than individuals make decisions in the identification phase of building projects. During the decision-making process, groups face a risk of sub-optimal performance that may arise from social and psychological forces. The main forces are group experience, the curse of knowledge and premature cognitive commitments (PCC). The above risk can be minimized by employing an appropriate group decision-making framework. The authors have developed such a framework for the identification phase of building projects. The proposed framework calls for adequate time for effective presentations and discussion of individual experiences in building project identification and related issues in a face-to-face interaction. The framework is expected to increase chances of gaining group experience and recognizing member expertise as well as minimizing the effects of the curse of knowledge and PCC. Controlling for other variables, the employment of the proposed framework in the identification phase of building projects is expected to yield high group performance and better decisions.