Analyzing communication sequences for team training needs assessment

Several models of team performance have suggested that a clearer understand ing of team process is needed to determine better training formats and redu ce crew-generated errors. The present study investigated the degree to whic h analyzing communication sequences would contribute to the understanding o f effective crew process in two simulated night tasks. The results indicate that pattern analyses reveal additional strong differences between perform ance groups that would have been overlooked by simple frequency counts of c ommunication. In each case, the sequential analysis shed additional light o n the communication patterns that characterize better-performing teams. The se results are discussed in terms of their implications for team performanc e research and team training. Potential applications of this research inclu de training needs assessment, training design, and performance measurement after training.