MAKING GROUPS WORK

(Source: Prof. Shirley Maxey, USC/BUCO)

A. INDIVIDUALS VS GROUPSWhy work in groups?

Theory vs. RealityWhy its often difficult: 1. Scheduling conflicts 2. Different levels of commitment 3. No natural leader

B. IDENTIFYING YOUR Strengths, Weaknesses, and Level of CommitmentsWhat will you do?
Each of you has a strength area that you should take advantage of in group projects. Where is your strength? What kind of person are you? 1. PLANNING Organized Detail-oriented Project start Delay the action? Level of commitment 2. PROCESSING Sensitive People-oriented Project middle Delay decisions? 3. ACTING Fast-paced Results-oriented Project end Compromise quality?

Everyone must be involved. Everyone must contribute. You have the right to expect involvement and contributions from each member!
THIS IS AN HONOR CODE ISSUE.

C. SUCCESSFUL TEAM PERFORMANCE

The TEAM PERFORMANCE MODELSeven Stages of Successful Group Project Performance. Source: The Team Performance Model. Drexler, Sibbet, & Forrester; 1988. Following is a proven system for successful group performance. Lets apply it to your group projects: 1. INDIVIDUAL ORIENTATIONWhy am I here, what can I do? 2. GROUP TRUST BUILDINGWho are you, what can you do? 3. GOAL CLARIFICATIONWhat do we have to accomplish? 4. ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENTHow shall we do it? Who does what when? 5. IMPLEMENTATIONEach member acts out the plan. 6. HIGH PERFORMANCEProject successfully completed. 7. RENEWALWhat should we change for next time? The steps are interrelated and ongoing. Omitting stages causes failure!

Meilich

BUS 444

D. FROM ASSIGNMENT TO PRODUCT

Once you have a group project assigned to you, how do you put the Seven Stages into practice? Following is one suggestion for organizing, processing, and completing the first group project. If the members of your group remain the same, you may be able to skip steps one and two.

GROUP WORK
FIRST GROUP MEETING Individual Orientation (stage 1) Collect names, phone numbers of group members Compare schedule Schedule second meeting

INDIVIDUAL WORK

Prepare self-assessment Study the assignment Consider meeting in sub-groups Develop a Project Plan: Describe goal List action required and timing Choose your jobs

SECOND GROUP MEETING Group Trust Building (stage 2) start learning about each other Discuss self assessment Agree on project requirement Goal Clarification (stage 3)

THIRD GROUP MEETING Action Plan Development (stage 4) Develop master plan Assign/accept responsibility MAJOR TIEM COMITTEMNT Implementation (stage 5) Complete tasks Stay in touch with others FOURTH GROUP MEETING High Performance (stage 6) Final preparation or review Turn in project Identify what went right, what went wrong, needs adjustment

FIRST MEETING, SECOND PROJECT Renewal (stage 7) Discuss changes for next project

Meilich

BUS 444

E. CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Communicate as a GroupDon't Form Camps Solve Problems EarlyDon't Fester Keep Track of DecisionsWrite it down Require a Minimum Level of Commitment From EACH Member Use Separations to Benefit the Individual or the Group Consider Rightsizing as a Last (yet possible) Resort

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS

Schedule short meetings, taking advantage of time before/after class. Avoid long, drawn meetings. Start and stop on time and as planned. Assign tasks based on strengths, availability, and attitude. Make assignmentsand deadlinesperfectly clear. Listen to each other. Use consensus and avoid voting to make decisions. Respect each other. Communicate honestly with each other.

Meilich

BUS 444