COLLEGE ADVICE: Group Projects

I like to think that I’ve participated in my fair share of group projects. From ESUMS Expo groups to design-thinking groups to huge company-sponsored coding teams, I’ve participated in 12+ group projects over the past 6 years. In that time, I have had the opportunity to be both a team player and lead several groups. So, here’s some advice on how to make the best out of a group project.

What makes a great team member? Whenever I’m in a group, I notice 3 things that tend to make or break the project. These apply to everyone in the group, including the team leader if there is one!

• Good Communication – This is the most important! Good communication means letting group members know your skills, your availability, and if anything comes up that might interrupt the flow of the project. Be open about communicating if you’re going to miss a meeting or if you’re falling behind with an assigned task.
• Respect & Honesty – Act like a team, not just a group. Respect the skillsets and perspectives that others can bring to the table and be mindful of outside circumstances. Be respectful of people’s time and ideas. Additionally, be honest and ready to ask for help if something comes up. If you need extra learning time/resources or extra clarification, be straightforward.
• Motivation – Whether you are personally drawn to the project or are just in it for the grade or experience, it’s important to put a good attitude in and contribute to an outcome you will be proud of!

What makes a great team leader? A trickier question to answer, but I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazing leaders who have made my group projects a joy to work on.

• Organization – One of the main jobs as a team leader is to be able to schedule meetings, assign jobs, and set deadlines so that the team can work efficiently and stay focused. You can use applications like Kanban or Trello to help with visualizing the progress of small tasks as well as a shared calendar (Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar), resource holder (Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, or Dropbox), and communication medium (Discord, Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangouts) for group events.
• Confidence & Passion – As a leader, you are expected to guide focus, organize resources, and call shots if needed. You’ll have to adjust your leading style depending on the needs of the group. Some team members need more coaxing, and some members are eager to step up. It’s your job to make sure that you are a uniting force in the group. When leaders are passionate, it’s easier for the other members to rally behind for a great project.
• Keep the Big Picture in Mind – While most team members will be working on a small portion of the project at a time, it’s the leader’s job to always keep the bigger picture in mind when assigning tasks and meeting about next steps. The best leaders are always able to coordinate member’s ideas in a way that supports the end goal of the project.

Sometimes group projects don’t work out, and that’s okay! If all else fails, make sure you let the professor know if a member isn’t communicating. Most professors can offer some leniency with group grades depending on the situation.

- Patricia Acorda