Student Group Projects: Tools for Success

Lynne Siemens

University of Victoria

September 11, 2009

Agenda

Team Definition Team Development Tools for Success

Definition of a Team

Small set of individuals who work interdependently and are jointly accountable for performance goals

An effective team meets its goals while maintaining relationships.

Exhibit 6-4Stages of Group Development

Team Charter

Description of how the team will work together

Role Provides direction Creates shared understanding/trust/accountability Increases commitment Reduces potential for conflict Manages expectations Outlines the ways in which team members will

interrelate

Components of a Project Charter

Team purpose Ground rules for behaviour Roles and responsibilities Consequences Sign offs

Part 1: Team Purpose

Describes the work of the team Sets goals for the team

Part 2: Ground Rules

Norms for acceptable behaviour Meeting norms Working norms Communication norms Leadership norms Consideration norms

Team members at a distance

Part 3: Roles and Responsibilities

Who will do what when? Task Process

Type of job description

Potential Roles

Initiator Facilitator/Leader Recorder/"Secretary" Devil's Advocate/Skeptic Optimist Summarizer/Clarifier Liaison/Spokesperson Reflector

Part 4: Consequences

What will happen when the norms are not met? Enforcement of the norms

Part 5: Sign offs

People indicate their understanding and commitment by signing their names

Refer to on a regular basis

Key Questions to Consider

Who do we need to communicate with? When do we communicate? How do we communicate? (email, voice, written,

meetings, etc.) What needs to be communicated? How often do we communicate status? When do we meet as a team? What happens if someone does not follow through? What grade would we like on this project?

Sample Norms

http://ecow.engr.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/get/epd/265/zwickel/readings/teambasics.pdf

Handouts

Team charter worksheet Sample first meeting agenda

School of Public AdministrationUniversity of Victoria