Teams and Team Issues ENGR 300 Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering University of Bridgeport, CT 06601

Teams Evolve They often don’t start off great!

4 Stages of Team Growth Stage 1 - Forming Stage 2 - Storming Stage 3 - Norming Stage 4 - Performing

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 - Storming Feelings of: – Resistance to the task – Disunity and tensions – Who Controls? Behaviors: – Nit-picking, polarizing – Challenging, arguing – Establishing unrealistic goals

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 - Performing Feelings of: – Having insights & understanding – Attachment to team members – Satisfaction and trust Behaviors: – Constructive self change – Working through problems

A Group vs. A Team A Group vs. A Team

10 Ingredients for a Successful Team 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 Team 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 Team 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 Team Meetings

Team Meetings Plan ahead – Purpose, time, place, how long, who attends, support materials – Have an agenda include items due in the next few weeks include a review of each other’s tasks review specifics & make clarifications

Team Meetings Have a facilitator Maintain communication - take and publish minutes Be efficient - avoid duplication of effort Make team members accountable to each other. Work towards consensus on decisions