Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration… oh the experiences that I have had in collaboration.
Being in my second year of a Communications degree, I’ve had many colourful experiences with group assessments. With collaboration comes many positives and many negatives, and it is important to learn from each of these experiences.
Here are a list of tips that I have learnt from my experiences. You must:
- CREATE A COLLABORATIVE CONTRACT: This will assist each member in establishing what they wish to gain from this assignment and their motives. It will help to break barriers that may initially seem uncomfortable to talk about, and allow for everyone to grasp a deeper understanding of one-another.
- COMPLETE A SWOT ANALYSIS: It is important for everyone in the group to complete a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, so that they are able to see who should be doing what, and to identify any pre-existing threats that may interfere with the completion of the project.
- ESTABLISH WHAT GRADE YOU WANT: In almost all of my group assignments, there will be at least one person that pulls far less weight than anyone else in the group (so much that they end up basically doing nothing and leaving it up to everyone else). To establish what grade you wish to get will help you to understand how much everyone will be doing, and help to keep them on track if they’re not pulling their weight.
- MAKE SURE YOU PULL YOUR WEIGHT: Don’t be that person, don’t dare be that person that doesn’t pull their weight. Everyone hates that person. You’re in this degree, this class and this assignment like everyone else, so there should be no reason to as why you shouldn’t be doing the same amount as anyone else. If you have any problems, just ask for help! I highly doubt anyone will turn you down if they’re determined to get a certain grade.
- MAKE SURE THERE IS A GROUP LEADER: Okay, okay – everyone likes to think that they’re the leader, but it is important to have an actual group leader that organises things like when everyone should meet up and whatnot. This helps everyone to stay on track and on-task. Basically, group leaders are a useful role to initiate into all collaborative works, but do not think that other roles are invaluable or any less important than the leader.
- KEEP AN OPEN MIND: Though you may like to believe that you are, you may not always be correct. You must keep an open mind when listening to other ideas, and take yourself out of your role in the situation.
These are just a few short pointers that you may take into consideration when working collaboratively in any situation, whether that be university assessments, in the workforce, or alternative projects. They will assist in guiding you and your group in successfully completing your roles, and prevent any issues that may occur.
