Group work: Planning

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
Week 2	Commence research Share research data	Group meeting
Week 3	Review progress against timeline Review task completion Report on findings Collate information Reallocate tasks if required	Group meeting
Week 4	Final edit and proof Submit on time	Group meeting