Team role self-perception inventory: A tool for developing creativity

This paper proposes we take a close look at team role diversity and composition in a creative design programme. Dr. R. Meredith Belbin [1] originally described eight team roles with 'a tendency to behave, contribute and interrelate with others in a particular way' with each role having a combination of strengths and allowable weaknesses. Belbin argues that each of these team roles must be present in a balanced and effective team. Higher education rarely assesses students on their ability to perform in a group yet real world performance is often determined by how individuals perform and behave. Team work requires individuals to contribute from a plethora of strengths ranging from creative and strategic to orthodox or conscientious. This paper continues the discussion concerning the validity of Belbin's team roles through observation of individual behaviour during live design projects.