During your time at CU Boulder, you will most likely work in groups for class projects. Working on group projects allows you to build teamwork skills, learn how to distribute workloads and responsibilities, and navigate different points of view. These are all valuable skills you will use in academics and your future career.
You can take steps to have a good group experience from the start. Here are tips for a positive and productive group project.
Assign responsibilities
At the beginning of the project, set up a meeting to get to know your group members. Ask each group member to review the assignment before the meeting to learn about the project and the different requirements, roles and responsibilities.
During the meeting, you can work together to decide who will be responsible for each part of the project. Consider what works best for the group based on each person’s skill set.
Set deadlines and due dates
Creating a project timeline can help your group keep things on track and avoid misunderstandings about when each person is responsible for completing their tasks. Review the syllabus and project guidelines to determine due dates, and decide when you will have the project completed and ready to turn in or present. Then, work together to set due dates for each step of the project.
Build in time to help each other and combine work. Give yourselves time to rework any parts of the project that need extra effort or edits.
Allow time for the group to form
It can take time to settle into a productive team, and sometimes there may be conflict. However, working through disagreements can lead to a strong and healthy group. When you are assigning responsibilities and creating a project timeline, people can have different ideas about how to do things. It is OK to voice your concern. Listen to others as they share their thoughts and ideas, and work together to compromise.
Communicate effectively
Clear communication with positive intent can help groups to function productively. Communication may feel awkward if there is a disagreement or misunderstanding. Emotions can also be intense during difficult discussions, causing minor disagreements to escalate.
Communicate directly with your group members and focus on the problem instead of getting caught up in the emotions. Also, address any conflicts or difficult conversations with the people involved and avoid complaining about people who are not present.
Remember to use “I” statements to describe how the situation makes you feel and try framing the issue neutrally to decrease any feelings of blame. Here are some examples:
- “I feel frustrated when parts of the project are incomplete because we all have a responsibility to help.”
- “I feel hurt when my ideas are not taken seriously because I think they could improve our report.”
- “I am upset that a decision was made without group consensus because we want this to be a collaborative project.”
When sharing your point of view, speak from your perspective and avoid making assumptions. Avoid bringing up past issues or making personal attacks.
Also, be sure that the conversation is a two-way discussion. Give your classmate space to share their point of view by acknowledging how they feel about the situation. Listen fully to what they are saying without judgment and ask questions to make sure you understand what they are trying to convey. This approach can help them feel heard and help you both find a solution.
Form connections with others
Strengthening your relationships with your group members can help with productivity. It allows you to focus on the task at hand and work together to find a solution to any challenges. It may also enable you to develop empathy and interact with more kindness toward each other.
If possible, meet in person versus communicating only online. For example, you can sit together in class or meet up for a meal in the dining hall to discuss updates on your project. Efforts to have a personal connection can make working on your project more enjoyable and expand your network.
Celebrate your accomplishments
Once you’ve completed the group project, remember to celebrate your group’s success. Treat yourself and recognize the hard work of your peers—you deserve it!
Resources
You can use campus resources to help your group form connections, find academic help and navigate conflict effectively.