This study examined collaboration in multidisciplinary design teams to identify how such teams can be more effectively supported through information technology. Accordingly we addressed collaboration in terms of information sharing, focusing on four internal processes and six external obstacles impinging on such sharing. Six design experts involved in U.S. Air Force systems acquisition and design were interactively interviewed to elicit their knowledge concerning design team interactions and perceived obstacles to effective information sharing. This knowledge was structured as concept maps—graphical depictions of key concepts and the relational links among them. This knowledge was then categorized with respect to our focal information sharing issues and analyzed for its implications. We summarize these results and conclude by connecting them to emergent trends in information technology. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.