Critical interaction instances in collaborative concurrent engineering

Previous studies have defined people, process, tools and technology as relevant elements for Concurrent Engineering (CE) processes. This study analyzes the principles of dynamic interrelation between these elements in the process of developing a satellite (mission), depending on collaborative working interactions. The participants in a CE facility work in parallel, exchanging their knowledge and information, using their set-up tools acting according to the requirements of their disciplinary specialities and the task at hand in the CE process. We analyze the collaborative working context in the CE facility, where compelling moments emerge, that require the different disciplinary positions in the CE facility to engage in negotiations by moving into shared spaces in order to solve the issues at stake. In line with interactional design studies, we identify particular moments in the interaction as "Critical Interaction Instances"(CIIs). CIIs have two criteria, first the awareness of an existing problem. Second the repositioning of the participants in the CE facility which correlates with the shared spaces that the collaboration creates. The results of this study demonstrate that CIIs enhance the collaboration (quality) throughout the CE process. Based on data collected in a CE facility in Germany the study shows how CIIs emerge, unfold and mark collaborative interaction in CE.