Design and Product Development

An Improved ‘Team Mental Model’ as an Assessment Tool for Group Decision-Making During Fit Sessions

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Abstract

Fit assessments and pattern alterations in fit sessions have not been recorded properly in the apparel industry, but it is an essential knowledge that is key to educating new members and keeping track of garment history to apply them in future designs. Designers, merchandisers, and pattern makers work together as a team to test the fit of the sample size garments and collect both visual and comfort feedback. Documenting fit assessments must include participants’ discussion and their conclusions which are shared cognition. We propose an improved ‘team mental model’ as a data collection model to better understand team dynamics for effective fit evaluations as a group. The improved ‘team mental model’ combines the ‘team mental model’ and ‘seeing-moving-seeing model’ (Schon & Wiggins, 1992).

Keywords: fit session, decision-making, problem-solving, new product development, apparel design

How to Cite:

Yang, Y. & Baytar, F., (2022) “An Improved ‘Team Mental Model’ as an Assessment Tool for Group Decision-Making During Fit Sessions”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 79(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.16043