2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

Team-Coordination Training
Another technique widely used for military team training is team-coordination training
(TCT). TCT concentrates on teaching team members about the basic processes underlying
teamwork. It typically targets several team competencies needed for successful performance in a
particular environment. TCT is usually delivered through a combination of lecture,
demonstration (e.g., video examples), and practice-based methods (e.g., role plays) over two to
five days. Research supports its effectiveness in terms of positive reactions, enhanced learning,
and behavioral change. Similar to simulator-based training, TCT has been widely applied in
aviation and has recently been introduce in healthcare. In aviation, TCT is referred to as Crew
Resource Management (CRM) training (Salas, Fowlkes, Stout, Milanovich, & Prince, 1999).
Team Self-Correction Training
The last three training methods noted here – self-correction training, cross-training, and
stress exposure training – are strategies that were developed from the TADMUS project and have
been applied in the military but have not been utilized in other high risk industries. Team selfcorrection
is the naturally occurring tendency for effective teams to debrief themselves by
reviewing their past performance, identifying and diagnosing errors, discussing remedial
strategies, and planning for the future. Self-correction training is delivered through a
combination of lecture, demonstration, practice, and feedback. Team members learn to observe
their performance, to categorize their effective and ineffective behavior into a structured format,
and to use this information to give each other feedback (Cannon-Bowers & Salas, 1998). When
guided by a competent instructor, this method of team training has been demonstrated to improve
team performance.
Cross-Training
Cross-training exposes team members to the basic tasks, duties, and responsibilities of the
positions held by other members of the team; the purpose is to promote coordination,
communication and team performance. Ideally, this training alleviates the decline in
performance that is likely to follow personnel changes; it also increases implicit coordination
(i.e., being able to coordinate without the need to communicate explicitly). The training
comprises sharing cross-role information (teammates, task, equipment, situation); enhancing
team members’ understanding of interdependencies, roles and responsibilities; and providing
cross-role practice and feedback. Research has demonstrated that, compared their counterparts
who were not cross-trained, cross-trained teams better anticipate the information needs of their
teammates, commit fewer errors, and exhibit more effective teamwork behaviors (Cannon-
Bowers & Salas, 1998).
Stress Exposure Training
Stress can exert a significant negative influence on an individual or a team’s ability to
perform effectively, especially in high-stress environments that are characterized by ambiguous
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45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003