Author Information
Stephen G. Barker, Cranfield University, United KingdomKieran Holling, Cranfield University, United Kingdom
Abstract
The application of new ideas, methods and process techniques to product and service development projects can be challenging for a number of reasons. These include the inherent complexity of the problem situation, the assumptions being made, the level of resource available, an over-reliance on past experience and knowledge, and a difficulty in scaling application of the concept in question to the problem situation or project construct. These difficulties can then hinder the effectiveness of the application, leading to either undesirable emergent properties or even in extreme cases, project failure. Research has indicated that a possible contributory factor in experiencing such difficulties is that organisational “soft skills” are not taken into account sufficiently when planning and implementing the use of concepts. Such skills include knowledge and experience of participants in applying the concepts, the involvement of necessary stakeholders, the “psychological safety” of project participants and the creation of an organisational culture conducive to supporting the use of new and more exploratory techniques. This paper considers ongoing research into this area and provides a case study approach demonstrating the application of an example method to gauge the potential effectiveness of considering organisational “soft skill” factors upon improving application and implementation of concepts. Conclusions will be drawn, and the andragogical implications will then be considered in order to identify a means of enhancing existing educational practice in the teaching of methods, techniques and processes. Recommendations will be made suggesting how these improvements can be realised in an educational context.
Paper Information
Conference: BCE2025Stream: Curriculum Design & Development
This paper is part of the BCE2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Barker S., & Holling K. (2025) Appraising the Use of Organisational “Soft Skills” in the Application of Method and Process Techniques: An Educational Case Study Approach ISSN: 2435-9467 – The Barcelona Conference on Education 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 159-169) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9467.2025.14
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9467.2025.14
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