Testing Three Team Training Strategies in Intact Teams: A Meta-Analysis

Eduardo Salas

David R. Nichols

James E. Driskell

Keywords: Team Training, Meta-Analysis, Coordination, Cross-Training, Guided Self-Correction

The Study: This article conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of three team training strategies: cross-training, coordination and adaptation training, and guided self-correction training. The aim was to identify which of these approaches most effectively enhances performance in intact teams across organizational contexts.

Main Findings: Team training had a small to moderate positive effect on performance. Coordination and adaptation training emerged as the most effective, as it taught members to adjust coordination strategies and reduce the need for communication, thereby increasing efficiency. Cross-training showed limited effects, while guided self-correction provided benefits but less consistently.

Practical Implications: Team development programs should prioritize training strategies that build adaptive coordination mechanisms. These approaches are especially valuable in complex environments where continuous adjustment and efficient coordination are critical to success.

Reference: Salas, E., Nichols, D. R., & Driskell, J. E. (2007). Testing three team training strategies in intact teams: A meta-analysis. Small Group Research, 38(4), 471–488. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046496407304332

Salas et al, 2007.pdf

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