Final answer:
An element of collaborative problem-solving capability is the understanding and applying multiple decision modes. This means knowing when to centralize decisions and when to involve the team in collective decision-making processes. Other factors like team identity, meeting management, and democratic leadership also play significant roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
One element of collaborative problem-solving capability is the understanding and applying multiple decision modes. This involves recognizing when to delegate decision-making power to a single person or when to use a collective approach, like group decision-making through voting or deliberation. Other elements that contribute to effective collaborative problem-solving include building a strong team identity, adept meeting management, and strong leadership that often embraces a democratic style to encourage participation and consensus-building among team members. Moreover, having an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams, effective communication skills, and encouraging a culture of life-long learning are all integral to fostering a collaborative environment where engineering problems can be solved efficiently and creatively. These capabilities are crucial not only in traditional settings but also in virtual teams, which have become increasingly prevalent due to global business practices and digital communication advancements.