Teams and

Team Issues--------------------------

ENGR 300Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering

University of Bridgeport, CT 06601

Teams EvolveTeams Evolve

They often don’t start off great!

4 Stages of Team Growth4 Stages of Team Growth

Stage 1 - FormingStage 2 - StormingStage 3 - NormingStage 4 - Performing

Stage 1 - Forming (Orient)Stage 1 - Forming (Orient)

Feelings of :– Excitement, anticipation, optimism– Suspicion, fear, anxiety– Am I in this group?

Behaviors of:– Task definition– Abstract discussions of task– All agree, tend toward vague, ambiguous comments

Stage 2 - StormingStage 2 - Storming

Feelings of: – Resistance to the task– Disunity and tensions– Who Controls?

Behaviors: – Nit-picking, polarizing– Challenging, arguing– Establishing unrealistic goals

Stage 3 - Norming Stage 3 - Norming

Feelings of:– A new ability– Acceptance, relief

Behaviors: – Harmony, sharing and discussion– Building team cohesion– Maintaining ground rules– Expressing constructive criticism

Stage 4 - PerformingStage 4 - Performing

Feelings of: – Having insights & understanding– Attachment to team members– Satisfaction and trust

Behaviors:– Constructive self change– Working through problems

A Group vs. A TeamA Group vs. A Team

Issue Group (I) Team (We) Goals Own Agenda Accept Team’s

Role Unsure Knows

Decision By Vote Consensus

Conflicts Ignore Them Method

Missed Meeting So What? Must Not

Attitude Happy Face Warts and All

Effectiveness 2+2 = 3 2+2 = 7

10 Ingredients for a Successful 10 Ingredients for a Successful TeamTeam

Clarity in Team Goals A Plan Clearly Defined Team Roles Clear Inter-team Communication

– Speak with clarity and directness– Avoid long anecdotes and examples– Listen actively– Avoid interrupting – Share information

10 Ingredients for a Successful 10 Ingredients for a Successful TeamTeam

Beneficial Team Behaviors– Seek information and opinions– Summarize– Test for Consensus– Compromise and creatively resolve differences– Ease group tension, work through difficulties– Agree on group standards– Praise and correct with fairness– Accept both praise and complaints

10 Ingredients for a Successful 10 Ingredients for a Successful TeamTeam

Well-defined decision procedures– when to poll, when by consensus, use data

Balanced participation Established ground rules (behavior norms) Aware of group process (how the team functions) Use of the scientific approach

– rely on good data & techniques for problem solving and decision making

Conducting Effective Conducting Effective Team MeetingsTeam Meetings

Team MeetingsTeam Meetings

Plan ahead– Purpose, time, place, how long, who attends,

support materials– Have an agenda

include items due in the next few weeksinclude a review of each other’s tasksreview specifics & make clarifications

Team MeetingsTeam Meetings

Have a facilitatorMaintain communication - take and publish

minutesBe efficient - avoid duplication of effortMake team members accountable to each

other. Work towards consensus on decisions