User:Vonhoss/sandbox

Teamwork - A case study
Four students, Hal, Sue, Frank, and Bert are working together on a term project in a required senior-level chemical engineering class. The project will be worth 25% of the final grade, and lasts for the duration of the semester. Each of the students comes to the class with their own individual personalities and set of life experiences.

Hal likes learning, likes school, is outgoing, and is planning to go to graduate school after graduation. He’s the kind of guy you love to hate; he’s got high grades, is popular, and everything seems easy for him. Hal is definitely on the fast-track to great things. His expenses are paid by a full-ride academic scholarship, so he doesn't need to work at a job while in school. His GPA is 3.9.

Sue is very active on campus, and likes to participate in as many organizations as possible. Sometimes she’s stretched pretty thin, and her classes aren't always her top priority. Her parents are paying most of her school expenses, but she is working about 10 hours per week for pocket money. She’s an excellent organizer and manager, and always gets her homework done. After graduation, she plans to get a job in industry, where she hopes eventually to get a managerial position. Her GPA is 3.0.

Frank is an average student. He’s very bright, but his interests are often outside the classroom. Skiing, hiking, Frisbee, and church activities hold more interest for him than studying. He usually manages to get his homework done, often just before class, and somehow manages to do pretty well on exams. Frank’s education is being paid for by loans and work-study. He hasn't yet thought too much about what he wants to do after graduation, but he’s sure he’ll take a few months in Europe before getting serious about looking for a job. His GPA is 2.8.

Bert is in a different category altogether. He’s been in school a while, calls himself a slacker, and claims to be interested primarily in partying. He rarely submits his homework and often misses class. He is currently enrolled in the design class in question for the second time, after failing the first time. Bert’s parents paid for the first 3 years of his education, but cut him off after his GPA fell below 2.0. Currently he is surviving on loans, and works 20+ hours per week off campus. Bert hasn’t yet considered what he plans to do after graduation, whenever that might be.

Group Projects
1) As a group, brainstorm about different strategies for coping with the “Bert” problem. List as many possibilities as you can think of. (10 minutes.) Be persistent: you should be able to come up with at least 20 ideas, not necessarily all good ideas.

2) As a group, come to a consensus about the top strategy. What recommendation would you make to Dr. Spock about Bert? Keep in mind that successful teamwork is graded part of this design project. Why is that strategy your group’s selection? (10 minutes)

3) Now, take the position of Dr. Spock. In addition to teaching chemical engineering, she is also trying to instill in her students some elements of teamwork. She knows that all groups everywhere have a Bert, to some extent. Her opinion is that you've got to deal with the circumstances, such as they are; changing the circumstances isn't always possible. How should she react to this problem, after it is explained by the 3 active students?

The Subject Conversation
The setting is 3/4 of the way through the semester, and pressure is building. All 4 are busy with classes, job hunting, work, and life in general. Their professor, Dr. Spock, has assigned way too much work, as usual. Hal, Sue, and Frank are meeting in the computer lab:

Hal: Wow, that homework assignment due tomorrow really stumped me for a while. I was up until 2:30 this morning finishing it.

Sue: Oh please, I’m sure you got through it no problem. I started 4 days ago, but I keep getting stuck on the liquid-liquid extraction. Frank, did you get that part?

Frank: Yeah, right! Thanks for reminding me. I’ll look at it tonight.

Sue: Well, it looks like Bert is flaking out again, and isn’t going to show. How much longer do you want to wait for him?

Hal: That guy better start thinking about passing this class. Even with our help on the design project, he’s looking at a D at most. He got a 23 on our last exam!

Frank: Ya’ know, I’m kind of getting sick of helping him out. I’ve put more time into this class than I’d prefer, and I feel like we’re supporting a freeloader. It’s not like I don’t have anything better to do than to do his share in our project, too.

Sue: I hear you. I’m having a pretty tough time, keeping up in all my classes. The work that he did, was all wrong. I had to fix all the mass balances he came up with, and that was a week late!

Hal: The main thing is that we’ve got to get the project done. Frankly, his grade is his business. My grade is my business. If my work helps him, that’s no sweat off my back. Eventually, maybe he’ll learn something from the project. This project is fun. I don’t mind doing the extra work.

Sue: You’re way too generous, Hal. I’m with Frank. I've got plenty of things to do, other than carry his load. I think he doesn't deserve a good grade on the project if he hasn't done any work on it.

Case Analysis
Keep in mind that case study's title " The problem with Bert", does not mean that Bert is the only team member that has a problem. You must consider the entire cohort of players in this case and how each of them has contibuted to the problem: Dr. Spock, Hal, Sue, Frank, and Bert.

Instructions for Writing the Case Analysis:
This is to Share ideas about the solution to the case, however, each participant must come to there own Final solution

All "good" case analyses begin with a statement that describes the criteria for evaluating the recommendations put forward. Here's an example of such criterion, when the case involves a worker that is not achieving production goals.

♦♦♦♦♦Any recommendation that includes the threat of dismissal −or− actual dismissal shall not be considered♦♦♦♦♦

Project
1. Short summary of the Salient Points

Tim: Bert is not liked by his class mates Tim: None of the Team members are working with each other Cyndie: Bert isn't doing his share of the project Oliver: Bert is not the main problem of the group Darion: Hal is a very smart person Robert: Sue is the antagonist of the group Robert: People resent Hal for being smart Kaitlyn: Frank and Sue don't want to work with Bert Donnett: Bert need to make time for the group cheyenne: The group can't communicate effectively or function as a team and their assignment is almost due Kristen: lack of communication oliver: with respect to Bert, the rest of the group must be careful to avoid groupthink. lanny i think that a group activity may spead up the project, and help them get to know each other.

2. List of Criteria used to Evaluate the Recommendations

Tim: The solution must include Dr.Spock Cyndie: The group should come to some kind of an agreement about who needs to do what in relation to their project. Kaitlyn: They will work without Bert. Oliver When searching for a solution the group should consider the possibility that Bert is experiencing problems behind the scenes. Refer to Maslow's hierarchy of needs(?) Robert: Must get everyone together and elaborate on the steps of getting the project done. Donnett: the group should have meeting together, Darion: the group should figure out whats wrong with bert and try too help him out Cheyenne: The group should meet and focus on eachothers strong points and assign tasks accordingly and keep communication lines open for help and to offer help. Kristen: If bert isn't willing to help out, remove him from the project. lanny bert needs a tutor...

3. Description of behaviors exhibited by Each Team Player that has the potential of Contributing to a lack of Productivity Example:  All 5 members  Dr. Spock, Hal, Sue, Frank, and Bert.

Cyndie: Hal- Doesn't care about the group as a whole; Cyndie: Sue- Couldn't be bothered with taking on extra share of project; Cyndie: Frank - Doesn't want to support a freeloader; Cyndie: Bert - Isn't concerned about his grades or the project; Cyndie: Dr.Spock- Is aware of Bert and his lack of concern for his education but is leaving it up to the group to figure everything out. Tim: Hal- Does not respect the members of the group, he would rather do there work so he can pass. Tim: Sue - She hates Hal for having an easy time on the projects Tim: Frank - Does not seem to take the work seriously Tim: Bert - Seems to be having a hard time with working and school Tim: Dr.Spock - Seems to be taking the hands off approach and does not seem to care Robert: Frank - He is more into activities then work. Robert: Hal - Great student. Finishes his work. Robert: Dr.Spock - Robert: Bert - He is care free. Robert: Sue - She is worried about her own grades Kaitlyn: Hal- He does not care about the situation, whether there is help or no help. Kaitlyn: Sue- She has to much on her plate to pull for someone else. Kaitlyn: Frank- His head isn't concentrated on school. Kaitlyn: Bert- Distracted party animal that doesn't care about school. Kaitlyn: Dr.Spock- Wants the students to fend for themselves when it comes to there project. Oliver: Hal- he is the consummate individualist, doesn't seem to care about team success, cares only about his success. Oliver: Sue- Might be too busy to help compensate for Bert's lack of productivity. Oliver: Frank- Tough to tell whether he truly cares about team success. Oliver: Bert- Needs to be made aware of how his lifestyle is affecting his academic career. Oliver: Dr. Spock- Offers no guidance to a team that desperately needs it. Donnett: Hal-He is hardworking,smart,responsible and he does his work. Donnett: Sue- She is organized and manage her life very well. Donnett: Frank- He has bad time management,not sure about his future. Donnett: Bert- needs to realize that he have to work harder. Donnett: Dr.Spock-wants them to find their way out. Cheyenne: Hal -Should offer his assistance when the others complain how hard the work is    Cheyenne: Sue -Needs to work on solutions rather than complain and bash Bert Cheyenne: Frank -Also should ask for help Cheyenne: Bert -Needs to communicate his absence beforehand Cheyenne: Dr.Spock -Should not have to intervene so late into the assignment Kristen: Hal- Should be more involved in the team. Kristen: Sue- Should go talk to Bert instead of just complaining about his lack of help Kristen: Frank- Should try help bert, instead of just letting him be, and letting him get a grade he doesn't deserve. Kristen: Bert- Should get involved with his team, before he fails the project. Kristen: Dr. Spock- Should be more involved with her classmates and what they are working on. lanny hal- should be more of a team player... lanny sue- should use her organization skills lanny frank- should help bert and bond with him...   lanny Bert- should try harder and buckle down...    lanny Dr.spock- ???

4. A clear statement Identifying the real problem in this case

Tim: It's 3/4 done the term. The group is still not working together. Cyndie: The team is having a problem with communicating with one another. Kaitlyn: Their all on different pages when it comes to school. Oliver Each team member's effort at communicating is woefully inadequate. Robert: They have no idea what each person has to do on the project. Donnett: the group needs to work together. Cheyenne: They all seem to be working on the same questions and not really getting anything done,they're not communicating effectively Kristen: Bert isn't being involved in the team project, therefor he is holding them up. lanny they need to focus on getting to know eachother better, and support bert ...

A: List of Communication problems identified in the case Cyndie: Each member of the group has outside distractions whether it be work or other interests. Kaitlyn: The students each think differently when it come to school and grades. Robert: Verbal communication,Physical communication,Interpersonal communication. Donnett:Each person have their own proplems to deal with. Tim: Each of the members have a problem with someone else in the group, they are not willing to talk to each other about it. Oliver: The unit is stuck in the Storming phase, there is little or no Horizontal information flow, and the unit is plagued by a lack of leadership. Cheyenne: Sue and Frank should ask for help rather than complain. Hal should be offering his help. They all gotta stop bashing Bert and come up with solutions and Bert needs to pull his own weight. Kristen: They all need to come up with a solution for bert, sooner that later, before they all flunk this project. lanny they just need to communicate more. maybe hang out and get to know eachother better...

B: List of characteristics of effective teams Not demonstrated in this case Cyndie: some effective characteristics not demonstrated in this case are; An ability to confront conflict, The ability to collaborate rather than compete, and an agreement on the purpose. Robert: Helping each other,Finishing work on time,Asking for help,Team work. Kaitlyn: Communication is not demonstrated, able to work on the same page at the same level. Tim: Meeting as a group, once or twice a week. Talk about the Project to see were people are at. Oliver: There is no agreement on Procedures, and an inability or unwillingness to Confront Conflict. There is no Use of Good Communication Techniques, an inability to Collaborate rather than Compete, and no Shared Leadership. Donnett: The ability to communicate efficiently and create a list of procedures or steps to complete the project. Cheyenne: Regular communication, checking to see where everyone is on their portion, ability to confront and resolve conflicts, and the ability to identify everyones strengths and weaknesses and working in accordance with those. Kristen: They ain't working as a team, like they should be. They are spending too much time talking about berts not showing up, and doing work instead of getting something done about it. lanny they really need to schedule meetings, and maybe tutor bert if he is willing to admit his fault's...

5. List of recommendations

Cyndie: Try to help Bert with his share of the project, give him easiest part of the assignment, ask him politely to do his share, make him feel included, keep an eye on his progress and offer suggestions if he needs help. Kaitlyn: Tell Bert he is no longer a part of the group he is on his own. Let him be on his own maybe he will come around. Tim: Getting the group together after class or lunch, Have them talk out what there having problems on and someone in the group who understands can give them assistance. Donnett: Explain to Bert the consequences that will result if he continues to neglect his responsibilities. Kristen: They need to all meet together and come up with a solution, before the project dead line. Oliver Designate a time and place for the group to meet in a non-confrontational manner. Ascertain why Bert is not contributing to the project, and reach a consensus on how to address the challenges. lanny having fun together will speed up the process of this project...   Cheyenne: Always ask for help when needed and offer your assistance whenever possible. Offer up solutions when you or a group member are frustrated.

A: to resolve the conflict(s) Cyndie:the group could encourage collaboration and discourage competition; also determining the purpose, procedures, and roles of each team member could help resolve conflicts. Kaitlyn: They should sit down and say "okay we have this amount of time for this project lets put our heads together with or without Bert and get it done". Robert: Help each other out in minor areas,Sit and talk to students individually about project problems and sort out the problems.,Get Dr Spock not to give out so much homework. Tim: Setting up project deadlines and rules help get things done in a timely fashion. Donnett: The group could work together to finish the project. Cheyenne: Focus on solutions rather than staying stuck on obstacles. Ask for help when needed and offer help in the areas they are familiar with. Be reasonable and explain to Bert his responsibilities and how his effort affects the Team and the Grade. Kristen: They need to all meet, and ask bert if there isn't some kind of problem outside of school, and if he needs any help solving it, and tell him he needs to be more involved in the team project or he will fail it. Oliver Since Dr. Spock is leaving the group to its own devices, Shared Leadership is crucially important. They should remind Bert that the deadline is approaching, and that each team member is offering him help according to his or her strengths. lanny A intervention with bert is required i think... letting them know that they care may boost his morale...

B:' To increase productivity and meet the deadline

Cyndie: the group needs to figure out a way to come together for a meeting and make a game plan that everyone agrees with to get the project completed. Kaitlyn: The group needs to set deadlines for certain areas of the project so they can see that people are working on something and finishing on time. Robert: The group has to plan out a way for everyone to contribute to the project. Tim: If Hal was having an easy time on this project he could easly sit down with other members and give them a hand working on their parts of the project. Donnett: They could create a list of procedures on how to do their project. Cheyenne: They need to discuss who is working on what cause it seems they are all working on the same assignment. They need to assign tasks in small portions with deadlines and keep in touch and most of all be willing to ask for help and to offer help. Kristen: They need to talk about what everyone needs done and by what date. Oliver An effective strategy would include clearly defined roles and expectations. Bert needs to be made aware that the rest of the team shouldn't have to be penalized due to his lack of involvement. lanny hal may need to work extra hard to help the others...sue as well

6. Description of your solution and why it has the greatest potential for success.

Cyndie: I believe that everyone trying to help him with his share of the project has the greatest potential for success because that way Bert is still participating in the project and at the same time the other members of the group can monitor his progress and make sure the project gets done on time. Kaitlyn: I think that if the group cannot get Bert to part take in the project, then they should each do there own parts of the assignment, then when it comes to Berts part then everyone work on it together that way they are happy with the end result of the project. Robert: Get a meeting going when everyone is in class. Tim: get the group to sit down with Bert and walk him though the project to see were his problems lay. Donnett: conduct a group meeting and talk about possible ways of completing the project.Talking will help the group to come to an agreement and eventually the work would be completed. Kristen: They should all meet up after school and discuss the project, if bert doesn't want to help out, then let him know that he is out of the project, the sooner they get rid of the bert problem, the faster they can hend it in the project and get the marks they deserve. Oliver It is imperative for the unit to remind Bert that the deadline is looming. If Bert is willing to salvage his marks, then they might having to ask Dr. Spock for an extension. Cheyenne: The group should meet and include Bert in a brainstorming session to come up with solutions to become more productive. Brainstorming solutions is the real way to get things done rather than complain. They also need to keep communicating as often as they can, even if they have to leave messages and wait for replies its more effective for them to all know where each other are at in the project and if someone is stuck.

A: Your list of criteria must be addressed in this section to demonstrate how your solution meets the stated criteria

Cyndie:Try to help him with his share, make him feel included, keep an eye on his progress and offer solutions, give him positive feedback. Kaitlyn: Just go on with the project, exclude him get the work done. Robert: help each other, Talk to Bert as a group about what he can do for the project. Donnett: Try to help Bert and if he doesnt listen get another team member. Cheyenne: The point of Dr. Spock assigning them as a team was to instill elements of teamwork, it's part of the assignment and they need to work it out amongst themselves. If they are succesful in identifying the strengths of their team members (as well as weaknesses) they would know how to prepare accordingly, then they will have a successful team. Kristen: They need to talk to bert, and let him know whats going on, and how he needs to be involved in order to get a mark on the project and pass. Tim: if a group member sat down with Bert and possible scribes for him it could help get the work done. The work will still be done by Bert just with assistance Oliver They need to listen to Bert and try to understand why he has been a no-show. Show concern for him and come to an agreement on how the group should proceed, delegate tasks and be willing to help each other. lanny i agree with Tim and Cheyenne

B: A description of how you will know that your solution is working.

Cyndie: I believe by everyone coming together and helping Bert with his share will work because everyone gets what they want out of the project and no-one will feel like they have done all the work. By helping Bert and keeping an eye on his progress everyone will know how far they are in the completion of the project. Kaitlyn You will know that the solution is working because the team will get the project completed on time and be happy with it. Robert: You will know if your plan is working when you notice progress as you reach the deadline. Donnett: You will know that the plan is working when you realize the project is completed on time and handed in. Cheyenne: When they meet together, Bert will finally have a voice and no longer be handed work that is too difficult for him. The team will have a better idea of what to assign and as long as they keep including each other and asking for help when they need it, they will have their assignment completed and that is a sign the solution has worked. Kristen: When bert is involved and doing his part of the work, and your close to handing it in on time. Tim: when it comes to major projects and such, I find someone scribbling for me helps me get my ideas down and before i know it the project is usually done. Oliver Bert's involvement is key. If he turns the corner and begins participating, the project has a chance of being completed. lanny i think once bert explains his situation he might be able to turn it around and help meet the deadline ...

5 Rules to help get the Project done.
'''

''' 1. If you are in need of help, Please ask someone. We are willing to give you a hand but not do the work for you. '''

 2. Completion scheduled  Dates Subject to change upon Teachers Discretion

''' 3. Group will meet on short days after class. Meetings will be 10-15 Min long to offer help on Problems and help each other with Idea's '''

4. Every person on the Project, Must respond to each question at least once.

''' 5. When responding to a question, Please use full sentences to respond. This will help give idea's to the group on the final project. '''

Students Working on Project
Timothy Blampied

Cyndie Hunt

Oliver Paul

Kaitlyn Fillion

Darion Latchman

Robert Soulier

Cheyenne Ironman

Donnett wilson

Kristen Roulette

Laniel White