Making the whole greater than its parts
BMEN 403 - Team Design Projects
Elaine Horn
11/19/08
“By your powers combined…”
Part I
Working in a team
First Things First
Does everyone know the mission? Measurement of success
Knowing your role If you don’t know your role in the team, find out! Team leader presses progress along Keeps you from stepping on each other’s toes
First Things First
Division of labor: ‘Team Leader’ – changing administrator Spokesperson, writer, coordinator, skilled person Electrician/handyman Paperwork is easier (and more accurate) when
everyone works on it
Internal Communication
Listen to others Listen to problems, then offer advice No criticism! Create an uninhibitive environment Keep an open channel of communication Use different perspectives to your advantage
Internal Communication
Everyone needs to stay informed of everything that goes on with the team
Respond to emails Acknowledge emails and respond, even if it is just
to say “okay, that sounds good”
Internal Communication
When there is a disagreement… Pull the leader in and resolve the issue
Who gets credit? Leader makes sure everyone gets credit when it’s
due
Eyes on the Prize
Pay attention to deadlines Leader takes care of this Start from the end date and back up from there
when making deadlines
Eyes on the Prize
Have regular reviews Everyone stays on task and did their part No surprises for the team! Nobody likes surprises! If you need help on your part, get help from
your teammates No shame in this
Part II
Working as a team with a client
Communication with Client
Make sure the client has a SINGLE point of contact Keeps discussion the same Keeps discrepancies at a minimum Talk in groups – this helps keep
misinterpretations at a minimum
Meeting with Client
Determine the goal of the meeting with the client beforehand Accomplish those points - that makes a good
meeting Need one person to be the spokesperson All of this also applies to faculty panel meetings
Meeting with Client
Always restate back to the client what you intend to do Make sure everything is understood Assume nothing!
Meeting with Client
Recap with team – client debrief immediately after meeting Take minutes and distribute internally
Important when a team member is missing Make sure everyone knows what to do next
Final Remarks
These are only guidelines Find your own system Can’t predict everything
Learning by doing
Happily ever after…
Team Procrastinasties
2007 - 2008