A Review of Group Process Designs for Facilitating Communication in Problem-Solving Groups

Abstract

Group process designs are prescriptions for facilitating group problem solving. They provide practices for maximizing the task and maintenance functions of group communication. The examination of several designs revealed an underlying structure and common features for facilitating productive problem-solving communication. Three process designs are described and analyzed in terms of their design structures: Synectics, Interactive Management, and the Interaction method. Several key task and maintenance communication functions are identified for each process design. The main value of group process designs and problems with adoption in organizational settings are discussed.