This is a very timely problem. My colleague Charles Jahren at Iowa State has been doing research on the way different generations learn as a part of an engineering education research project to improve the pedagogy in construction engineering education. I've not followed his actual published output but I was assume he is making a comparison of generational learning models and since construction is totally a team-intensive industry, those comparisons might be of use to you.

Dear Douglas,  I am really interested in the results of the research of your colleague Charles Jahren on the way different generations learn. I would love to read his publications in this field.

Dear Aniko,

I found that one of the most important challenges is intergeneratioal learning. The process may be oriented from the older generation toward the younger generation in terms o experience, and from younger generation toward the older one in terms of IT and more new ideas. However, intergenerational learning implies trust among all team members and a good convergence of their cultural values. This issue can better be understood in terms of knowledge dynamics, when we consider all the three fundamental fields of knowledge: rational knowledge, emotional knowledge and spiritual knowledge. A good account of that knowledge dynamics can be found in my new book: Organizational Knowledge Dynamics: Managing knowledge creation, acquisition, sharing and transformation, published two months ago by IGI Global, Hershey, PA, USA.

Aniko

Email him at [email protected] 

Doug

My first reaction is that albeit age has some importance ( obviously ) what I think more important is the personnality : I know younger generation people reluctant to dream and imagine and older people that can do it and even more mix their dreams with their experience of life.Maybee older people can have problems with technical matters such as informatic use or maybee less quick  ... nothing of that that would stop a curious and motivated person but obviously things that must be adressed by patience ,comprehension and if necessary assistance.

younger people need to understand the decision process ,that not everything can be acceped in any given organisation ,to learn the ways of influencing without formal authority, the value of being controlled and ... sometimes to quit for the sake of new creation or new horizons.

I do think that the more shared values,respect,goals  horizons and curiosity the more a team is functionnal

withby best wishes of success

Agree with the previous opinions, I think, the highlighted point is how the project managers can be understood the difference between the generations and using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and the threats of the disparity to ensure the project success.

What are the challenges of project team work with members from different generations?

Possible challenges include: