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GROUP PROJECTS

How To Graduate with...

GP 2nd Edition

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Hi, I’m Chevonnese,

One of the hardest things to deal with are Group Projects. They are unavoidable and difficult. If you can master it, you’ll be a better student, and ultimately, a better worker.

I hope these tips help.

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Its ImportanceDon’t fight it, group projects are necessary. To describe the importance of Group Projects, I want us to look at the lessons from geese. Look out for facts throughout this presentation.

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Know Thyself!Who are you? You will not be able to perform properly in a team if you do not know who you are. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are you good at? How can you contribute?

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Test Thyself!After reflecting on who you are, test yourself. Do these:● How Good Are Your

Leadership Skills?http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_50.htm

● Humanmetrics Jung Typology Testhttp://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

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TeamworkStages of teamwork:1. Forming2. Storming3. Norming4. Performing

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FormingThis is the stage where you form your group. Choose your team wisely. Pick team members based on their strengths. Choose persons with interests in different fields of study and work ethic (if possible).

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Be SelectiveThink longterm. Who are your ideal candidates to complete group projects with for the next 3 to 4 years? Try not to have more than 5 team members for your projects.

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Geese FactAs each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

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StormingConflict usually arises at this stage. Team members are testing their boundaries. Most teams do not survive beyond this point. But it is important that the team goes through this stage!

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The ElephantIf someone is not pulling their weight in the team, deal with the elephant in the room. Talk (not argue) with the person. Find out what is causing the problem and solve it internally. Do not take it personally.

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Geese FactWhen 1 gets sick, wounded, or shot down, 2 drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or rejoin the flock.

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NormingResolution, appreciation, and respect are usually some activities that occur in this stage. Each team member understands their role in the team and, more importantly, understand others’ roles.

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PersonalitiesUse this opportunity to get to know and understand different personalities. Navigate the territory now, so that you’ll be able to navigate different personalities in the working world.

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PerformingFinally the team is able to produce results. The more norming that occurs the more the team will perform.

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Geese FactWhen the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

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Team LeaderBe sure to elect a team leader. You will always need someone to chart the path for completing the project.● Assign tasks● Set realistic deadlines● Foster teamwork

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Team SecretaryThis person will record the activities of the group. What occurred in group meetings? What documents are needed to further the progress of the group?

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Team Follower● Stick to deadlines● Layout your own

individual schedule● Must always have access

to all aspects of the project

● Be honest if falling behind or can’t do your task(s)

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Ask For HelpDon’t wait until it’s too late. Let your team members know as soon as possible that you are having difficulties. Try and solve the problem first, but if your solutions does not work, consult your team.

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Tell The TruthDon’t be ashamed to tell the truth. If there is something personal happening, speak up so that the team can rally together and take on your responsibilities. Pride will not help you in a group scenario.

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ExcusesDon’t provide too many excuses for not being able to pull your weight. If so many things are interfering with your work, then do a self assessment and see how you can proceed. Otherwise you might get kicked out.

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ResponsibilityTake responsibility for your actions. If you’ve made a mistake, own up to it, and more importantly, make every effort to fix it.

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Geese FactWhen a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.

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Something NewTake this opportunity to try something new. Group Projects aren’t meant to make you better at something you already know; get better at something new. Lead then follow every now & then.

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CommunicationEstablish a main form of communication. Preferably something more instant than email. All members of the team must agree on this form of communication. For instance, WhatsApp, BBM, Text Messaging, etc.

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Face-To-FaceThere should be at least 2 F2F meetings: beginning (how to tackle the project); middle (the progress to date). Have an agenda for each meeting. Assign a time to each item on the agenda.

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First MeetGo through the question(s) in detail. All team members must understand the overall scope of the project and what is expected from the team. Then break down the project into various tasks & assign to team members.

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Halfway MeetSet milestones for the project. Halfway through the project, check if your team is on target for delivering what is necessary. The aim is to first pass the project, then get an “A”.

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Work SmarterIs your team duplicating their efforts or work? Find a way to minimize the amount of work to be done. Do similar projects together or dust off old projects (if applicable).

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Geese FactGeese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

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TrelloTrello will allow your team to track each members progress. The leader is able to assign tasks to members, making it clear who is assigned to what.

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Google DriveUse this tool to create your presentations and word processing documents. Each member of the team has the ability to log into the same document and make edits. Build your documents together.

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DeadlinesSet deadlines in advance of your actual due date and time. Give yourself time to vet your submission. Aim for at least 2 days before the due date.

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VettingCheck for spelling and grammatical errors. Test if it works properly. Check if you have provided all the deliverables. Make sure the words flow from one section to the next because of multiple writers.

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My Own CopyEach member of the team should have a copy of the project. This way anyone can present or submit the project. And you will have the material to reference years after leaving school.

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Geese Lessons1. Get it done quicker in a

team2. It is more difficult to

accomplish tasks alone3. Rotate the leadership4. Encourage one another5. Help a fallen team

member

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PostmortemThe team should conduct a postmortem on a project after it has been submitted. Where did you go wrong? What could the team have done better? How would you do it the next time around?

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That’s ItContact me @ChevonneseWhyte or on FB Chevonnese Chevers Whyte. Feel free to post your own tips at http://slideshare.net/ChevonneseWhyte for this presentation.

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Other TopicsHow To Graduate With...

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Photo CreditsCreative Commonshttps://www.flickr.com/photos/deapeajay/2074990690/

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About MeChevonnese Chevers Whytehttp://chevonnesewhyte.com/

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ThanksThank you to all those terrible and great groups that I have been a member of over the years.