Recent Learning Experiences Within Group Projects

     With only a little over a month left of the semester, I have learned more than expected about working in groups. Two of my business classes both have semester long group projects. Assigned to read many Harvard Business Review articles, I have learned the dynamics of the ideal group, how to effectively work as a team, how to confront conflict amongst members and so forth. Many of these articles have come handy and have helped one of my groups successfully work together. We are able to function as a collaborative group without one member being too controlling and most importantly we enjoy working with each other. Fortunately, one of my two semester long group projects is smooth sailing (I'll call this Group A), however, the second group (Group B) poses great difficulty for me and the other members.
     A critical step was taken amongst the group members of Group A that's prove to be successful thus far that was not completed in Group B. Prior to beginning the project Group A met to construct a team contract. Together we mutually established group and individual expectations, goals, and how we expected to treat each other. We agreed that constructive criticism was going to allow our project to reflect our best work. Not only was the importance of attendance at meetings critical, but coming prepared and ready to work. This team contract has proved to be the foundation of our team's success and has established guidelines for us all to abide by. This contract makes our team sound all serious and no fun, but by creating this prior to the start of the project there have been many memories and laughs along the way. Last night after finishing our assignment we reminisced the good ole days of Aaron Carter. Huddled around the computer screen we watched the music video "Aaron's Party."
     Group B is composed of intelligent students, but schedule and personality conflicts have proved to make this group project more challenging than it should be. This project has 5 members whereas Group A has a total of 4. I'm not sure if it's the extra person that makes it difficult or if it's the lack of mutually established expectations.
     As a business student, I know this is only the beginning of group projects. I enjoy working with others, which is why I chose to learn from the experiences in both groups. The team contract has proven beneficial and I would highly recommend creating one for every group project here on out. Whether it's 2 or 10 people, an honors class or not, a short or semester long project, this has served as my groups foundation and has held members accountable for assignments and expectations.
     As we draw near to our final presentations, I will anxiously await the results of each group. I plan to use what I have learned this semester and instill a positive outlook in Group B to ensure we perform to the best of our ability. As we have all worked in groups in Lit & Civ, I hope y'all have experienced great team dynamics and results within in this class and other group projects. I would love to hear some of the learning experiences and success stories you've encountered within your groups.

Here's a little trip down memory lane: