1. Making the whole greater than its parts BMEN 403 - Team Design Projects Elaine Horn 11/19/08

2. “By your powers combined…”

3. Part I Working in a team

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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”

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Part II Working as a team with a client

12. 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

13. 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

14. Meeting with Client Always restate back to the client what you intend to do Make sure everything is understood Assume nothing!

15. 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

16. Final Remarks These are only guidelines Find your own system Can’t predict everything Learning by doing

17. Happily ever after… Team Procrastinasties 2007 - 2008