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Making the whole greater than its parts. BMEN 403 - Team Design Projects Elaine Horn 11/19/08. “By your powers combined…”. Part I. Working in a team. First Things First. Does everyone know the mission? Measurement of success Knowing your role
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Making the whole greater than its parts BMEN 403 - Team Design Projects Elaine Horn 11/19/08
Part I Working in a team
First Things First • Does everyone know the mission? • Measurement of success • Knowing your role • If you don’t know your role in the team, find out! • Team leader presses progress along • Keeps you from stepping on each other’s toes
First Things First • Division of labor: • ‘Team Leader’ – changing administrator • Spokesperson, writer, coordinator, skilled person • Electrician/handyman • Paperwork is easier (and more accurate) when everyone works on it
Internal Communication • Listen to others • Listen to problems, then offer advice • No criticism! Create an uninhibitive environment • Keep an open channel of communication • Use different perspectives to your advantage
Internal Communication • Everyone needs to stay informed of everything that goes on with the team • Respond to emails • Acknowledge emails and respond, even if it is just to say “okay, that sounds good”
Internal Communication • When there is a disagreement… • Pull the leader in and resolve the issue • Who gets credit? • Leader makes sure everyone gets credit when it’s due
Eyes on the Prize • Pay attention to deadlines • Leader takes care of this • Start from the end date and back up from there when making deadlines
Eyes on the Prize • Have regular reviews • Everyone stays on task and did their part • No surprises for the team! Nobody likes surprises! • If you need help on your part, get help from your teammates • No shame in this
Part II Working as a team with a client
Communication with Client • Make sure the client has a SINGLE point of contact • Keeps discussion the same • Keeps discrepancies at a minimum • Talk in groups – this helps keep misinterpretations at a minimum
Meeting with Client • Determine the goal of the meeting with the client beforehand • Accomplish those points - that makes a good meeting • Need one person to be the spokesperson • All of this also applies to faculty panel meetings
Meeting with Client • Always restate back to the client what you intend to do • Make sure everything is understood • Assume nothing!
Meeting with Client • Recap with team – client debrief immediately after meeting • Take minutes and distribute internally • Important when a team member is missing • Make sure everyone knows what to do next
Final Remarks • These are only guidelines • Find your own system • Can’t predict everything • Learning by doing
Happily ever after… Team Procrastinasties 2007 - 2008