EAST LANSING, MI — A new study from Michigan State University reveals that strong communication and collaboration among construction teams significantly improve project performance, resilience, and cost-efficiency—particularly in complex, multidisciplinary building efforts.

The research, led by Sinem Mollaoglu, professor of construction management in MSU’s School of Planning, Design and Construction, shows that the key to better, safer infrastructure lies not only in engineering and materials—but in how teams talk, share knowledge, and interact throughout all project phases.

“We found that how people communicate — not just what they do — shapes project success,” said Mollaoglu. “Teams that shared knowledge more effectively and had stronger internal networks were more resilient and better equipped to navigate challenges.”

Funded by a $1.4 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Future of Work grant, the interdisciplinary study involved a two-year analysis of real-world teams working on green-certified building projects. Researchers examined project dynamics through a combination of tools: email analysis, surveys, digital platforms, and meeting records. These methods enabled the team to create visual “network maps” that revealed team structure, communication breakdowns, and key influencers within construction teams.

This research goes beyond simply identifying weak links—it actively helped teams course-correct during live projects.

“The research didn’t just stay in the lab,” Mollaoglu said. “It helped teams respond to real-world disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic. It also trained future industry leaders. One Ph.D. student landed a data engineering job at a construction firm after an NSF-funded internship, while another became a civil engineering professor.”

The MSU team’s findings emphasize that effective communication is especially crucial during transition points—such as handing off designs from architects to contractors—when miscommunication can lead to major delays or costly errors. Understanding who communicates with whom, and how knowledge flows across teams, enables proactive adjustments and smarter team design.

One of the most notable findings? The behavior of “opinion leaders”—those team members recognized as experts.

“Project ‘opinion leaders,’ or those seen as experts, are less likely to change their behaviors based on peer pressure,” Mollaoglu explained. “Their influence flows outward more than inward.”

Because these individuals serve as vital connectors between disciplines, their placement in a project's communication network can greatly influence success. As “bridges” within the team, they enable expertise to move across silos and ensure that diverse knowledge is shared and applied effectively.

To build better collaboration, Mollaoglu recommends intentional network design—which includes assigning personnel strategically, positioning subject-matter experts where their input matters most, and ensuring teams can adapt to disruptions with resilience.

The study also had a strong educational component. The team developed a publicly accessible training website with interactive learning modules to help prepare future construction professionals. These tools incorporate intelligent social network strategies into project-based teaching and learning.

To broaden the impact, they even created a web-based game that introduces K-12 students to the importance of teamwork and communication in engineering, aiming to inspire a new generation of builders and designers.

“When it comes to large infrastructure projects, steel and concrete matter, but it’s communication that holds everything together,” said Mollaoglu.

The MSU research team also included Kenneth Frank, Dong Zhao, Angelo Joseph Garcia, and doctoral students Meltem Duva and Hasan Bayhan. Funding came from NSF’s Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation and Engineering Design and Systems Engineering.

This groundbreaking work not only improves current construction practices but also lays the foundation for a smarter, more collaborative future in the building industry—one where team dynamics are as critical as blueprints and budgets.

Originally reported by MSU Today.