Using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a ...

IT projects follow established management methodologies governing the life cycle of the project. It is commonly accepted that the development of information systems is a complex task involving technical, human, and organizational issues. In order to instruct students, one of the most used methodologies is organizing them into small groups and provides them with a project. The groups act as project teams performing a project close to their field of professional interest. This methodology is usually named Project Based Learning (PBL). As is the case with actual projects, there are other issues in addition to the technical skills influencing the group outcomes: human aspects and personality. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has become one of the most widely-used psychometric instruments for assessing personality characteristics regarding work environment. Learning more about team member personalities and how different personalities compliment or conflict with each other can be useful information in building and leading a project team. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the most relevant features that help create successful student project teams within Information Technology (IT) field, in relation to the MBTI personality characteristics. Three most usual profiles within the IT projects are considered: system analyst, designers, and programmers. The results of this study have the implications for setting up student groups in collaborative projects under the IT studies.