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Mechanical Engineering 1010 How to Build Successful Teams

Mechanical Engineering 1010 How to Build Successful Teams. David Bayless, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow of ASME Gerald Loehr Professor. October 09, 2014. Typical Team Problems. Lack of Communication Lack of Explicit Expectations and Goals Lack of Accountability Conflict Avoidance

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Mechanical Engineering 1010 How to Build Successful Teams

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  1. Mechanical Engineering 1010How to Build Successful Teams David Bayless, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow of ASME Gerald Loehr Professor October 09, 2014

  2. Typical Team Problems • Lack of Communication • Lack of Explicit Expectations and Goals • Lack of Accountability • Conflict Avoidance • Being “that guy…” [last]

  3. Communication = Success • Communication means : DO NOT ASSUME people know, remember or read your mind • Communication means: Give timely responses and information • Communication means: Give clear responses • Summarize weekly team expectations in an email or text • Let your team know if you cannot mean the deadline on an expectation BEFORE the deadline • Be sure you explain yourself – not everyone understands “Let’s meet at 1pm next Sunday.”

  4. Setting Explicit Expectations • Nothing fails as fast as ambiguity • I thought “HE” was going to do that • I thought we were going to do that tomorrow • Define clear roles for EACH team member • “Team” will not assemble the car • “Team” will not purchase components • Define clear due dates for each activity • Can always provide flexibility AFTER definition Russ College of Engineering and Technology

  5. Accountability • If there are no consequences, what is the point? • People will do what it is expected, unless they don’t have to • What are your consequences • Design reports will ask for problems • End of course 360°review of the team • Some team members will be happy with a crappy grade, so that may not be a suitable consequence • There is no right to a team in ME 1010 Russ College of Engineering and Technology

  6. Conflict Avoidance • No one wants to cause “waves” • Building up resentments solves nothing • Addressing the problem is the solution • Use tact • Keep the productive outcome in mind • Dr. Bayless can help mediate Russ College of Engineering and Technology

  7. Summary • Discuss/communicate clearly and in writing with your team • Set explicit outcomes and actions for each member of the team • There are consequences for inaction • Address problems with the team tactfully • Remember – the only person you can change is you. What are you doing to make your team better? Russ College of Engineering and Technology

  8. Assignment for Oct. 21(Individual) • How are you communicating with your team and among your team? Provide examples of your weekly action item emails and other communications. • What are the problems on your team? • What actions have you taken to resolve the problems • Through testing (October 30), what actions are you explicitly taking to make your team better? Russ College of Engineering and Technology

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