A priority is having clear objectives when initially setting up plan for group work group.2 It was expected a Group Agreement and Plan design to be submitted giving the group clear expectations of roles/accountabilities throughout the project. Topic was chosen promptly, plan mapped-out, tasks were allocated fairly, and communication means was agreed; use of What’sApp as primary tool of communication, individual tasks and timelines outlined/managed in “Click Up”, agenda/meeting minutes shared and exchanged via cloud computing to the group through each project phase. 1
Communication was particularly challenging due to varying individual schedules, despite established expectations around response times. This impacted the scheduling of face-to-face meetings, affecting group dynamics and leading to frustrations that hindered collaboration.
As the note-taker, I created meeting agendas and minutes, and took the initiative to break down tasks into subtasks using Click Up. This ensured each member knew what was needed, deadlines, assignees, and progress, which was communicated during planning stages. However, not all team members actively accessed the data, leading to delays that affected the overall project.
In future I suggest allocating clear roles like progress chaser and process watcher, and arranging regular pre-set meetings before lab schedules to enhance communication and awareness around task timeframes.2
1Belbin, R.M. (2010) Team Roles at Work, 2nd edn, Butterworth–Heinemann, Oxford.
2UNSW 2015, Guide to Group Work, viewed 12 September 2024, >https://student.unsw.edu.au/printpdf/1215>
Group Work Reflection Journey 