Team Formation
Over the last 20 years, the idea of learning to work productively in a team has grown in importance. However, successful teamwork is not automatic. Working as a team is not always easy, and there are often difficulties along the way. Here are some proven tips for establishing and maintaining a successful team.
Creating a team
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 This Spring 2008 team worked with faculty advisor
Joel Sokol on UPS's Direct Ship Network. |
When creating a team, look for diversity of skills between members. Consider what will be needed for success, and make sure at least one or two team members is proficient/knowledgeable about each.
The Senior Design TeamBuilder is a web based meeting place for students. You can find other students working on Senior Design projects the same semester, with complimentary skillsets and schedules and in the same industry. Students who would like to use the TeamBuilder can join here.
Keep in mind that important skills are not only technical in nature. They include:
- Proficiency in core ISyE methodologies (probability/statistics, optimization, stochastics, simulation, etc.) that are helpful in many different settings,
- Knowledge of specific areas of ISyE that relate to your specific project (e.g., logistics, manufacturing, inventory planning, etc.),
- Communication (writing, oral presentation, graphical presentation, etc.),
- Programming (common project needs include Visual Basic, Java, database manipulation, etc.),
- Organizational (information storage/retrieval, time management, resource management, etc.), and
- Leadership (creating and maintaining good relationships with and among the client, faculty, and team members).
Assign roles to each team member, including the role of leader, based on each person’s skills and interests.
After creating a team, get together socially in addition to working on the project.
Communicating within a team
Each team member should be responsible for his/her share of the work. Establish a schedule for everyone to report progress to the team.
Practice reflection: consider whether each team member (including yourself) is contributing to the project’s goal.
Teams work together best when they can improve (and even criticize) each other’s work and ideas without having to worry that criticism might be construed as an insult. Agree to disagree, but don’t be disagreeable and don’t take criticism personally. Give feedback and receive criticism.
Avoid misunderstandings that can lead to hostility and/or resentment. For example,
- Define team communication strategies (e.g., “all email must be answered within 24 hours”) so everyone shares the same expectations.
- Be clear about each team member’s assignments.
- Make sure every team member understands where his/her work fits in the overall context of the project’s goals and vision.
- Resolve problems as they arise, rather than letting them fester.
Find a way to make a contribution. Standing around watching others work is not “helping.”
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