Good planning lays the groundwork for successfully completing group task. Let's find out how to make a strong start.
Starting a group project is the same as starting an individual project. You will need to:
analyse the task
determine what needs to be done
create a plan for completing the task.
It is important to establish good working relationships at the beginning, with protocols and agreements for communication, behaviour and responsibilities. Good communication is especially important for online groups. Here are some strategies for starting strong.
Analyse the task as a group
Agree on what the task is asking you to do. Review the task instructions, marking criteria/rubric and any other information you have.
Identify if the task has to be completed in a particular order (e.g. parts 3 or 4 rely on work done for parts 1 and 2). This determines how you might plan your timeline and delegate responsibilities for completing the assignment. If your group has any questions about the task, contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Create a timeline
Assess the time required for a group assignment. Groups often underestimate how long an assignment may take. A timeline identifies key milestones and helps you manage the workload to meet deadlines. Be realistic and be prepared to adapt your timeline as you progress.
Members of online groups may be working in different time zones. Factor this into your timeline.
Include enough time for research. Your research will be a large part of the task. You may also need to allow time for additional research during the drafting/production stage of the task.
Allow time for drafting and producing the final product. Editing and proofreading is an important final stage of any task. Allow time for the group to review the overall product for accuracy and consistencys.
The example below shows a group's schedule over four weeks. Some group work tasks may last a whole semester.
Time
Task management
People management
Week 1
Analyse task
Share understanding
Divide assignment into tasks
Allocate roles/responsibilities
Form group - share contact details
Agree on group protocols
Record meeting decisions and create agenda for next meeting
