Your ability to work effectively with others is a skill you’ll bring into your professional life. Group projects are an opportunity to draw on your classmates' strengths while also developing your own.
Sure, there can be challenges. You might have past experiences of feeling like you did most of the work for everyone to get the same grade. Or maybe you experienced a group conflict that has made you believe group work should be avoided at all costs.
But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Paying attention to group dynamics is key!
Follow these tips to set your group up for success.
Before you jump into the project, take time to decide what roles group members will take on. Taking extra time to clarify roles can help you hold each other accountable. It can also help you to fairly distribute responsibilities.
Some roles that members may take on include:
Everyone in your group has other assignments and responsibilities outside of the group project. A project timeline can help keep everyone on track so that work doesn’t get left until the last minute. Try backwards planning or use the Library’s Assignment Planner to help create your timeline. Remember to plan for time to review each other’s parts or for presentation practice.
Split work between group members to allow everyone to work independently on their own sections between meetings. This can help make the project less overwhelming.
Group meetings don’t always have to be done in person. It’s a good idea to have the first one in person to discuss plans and expectations. After that, you can figure out timing works best to connect with the whole group. (Your project timeline can help you figure this out!)
There are plenty of platforms you can use to communicate as a group – Instagram, email, etc. are all good options. However you decide to organize group communication, make sure you agree as a group on your expectations for communication.
If you’re using Instagram for a group chat, are notifications on? Will you share documents in Microsoft Teams for easy compiling? If you miss a meeting, are you expected to respond to notes within 24 hours? Discussing group expectations can help minimize challenges later on.
Remember, life happens. Even when you’re proactive, some things may not go according to plan. All your group members are also busy students. Group projects are also an opportunity to practice understanding.
Just in case, review how to overcome common group project issues. Your instructor or teaching assistant can also be a good resource to help work through challenges. These tips can help set you up for resolving conflict more easily, even when challenges come up.
