The unanticipated performativity of an observation grid through the evolution of its forms of agency

Purpose: This paper explores the unanticipated performativity of an observation grid during the ideation phase of a large construction project. Performativity is conceptualized as the constitutive capacity (anticipated or not) of theory to bring the practice to life through communicational interactions between various actors. Design/methodology/approach: The research used the action design research (ADR) methodology to design a grid to observe the facilitation of cross-disciplinary collaborative design workshops during the ideation phase. Key points in the grid’s design and data collection activities were analyzed in line with a communicative constitution of organization (CCO) conceptual framework and a process perspective. Findings: Our findings demonstrate how an observation grid, as an other-than-human actor, gives a voice to other other-than-human actors and contributes to the performativity of two practices (research tool design and facilitation), even if the grid did not perform as originally intended. By guiding human actors to understand and resolve what was wrong, in hindsight, the grid worked as intended, even if perceived otherwise initially. Moreover, by considering the grid as a knowledge object, we show that its performativity changes through the evolution of its forms of agency. Originality/value: While qualitative research generally perceives observation grids as data collection tools, not as actors, this study focuses on the grid itself and its performativity in the context of two practices: facilitation and research tool design. In addition, we investigate performativity using a Montreal School’s CCO framework that mobilizes knowledge objects.