Structuring Group and Team Problem Solving

1. Structuring Group and Team Problem Solving Group 2: ChhairChhayleng Lim Engleang SengLina NhemVorlak

2. Contents Structuring Group Defining Conflict Causes of Conflict Team Problem Solving Why Team Fail?

3. I. Structuring Group Grouprefers to the collection of people. It is composed of individuals who interact verbally and nonverbally, occupy certain role with respect to one another, and cooperate to achieve a definite goal.

4.   I Characteristics and components of group:         According to Mr. Douglas McGrager, an expert in organizational communication, there are 11 important characteristics of an effective and well functioning group:         1. The atmosphere in the group must be informal but comfortable and relaxed.         2. Group discussion require participation from each member, but it should remains pertinent to the task.         3. Group's task and objective have to be well understood and accepted by all the members.

5.         4. The members must listen to each other. Especially, every idea of members is given a hearing.         5. When coming up with disagreement, whole group have to seeks the solution to resolve rather than dominate dissenter.         6. Every group's decision must be made by a kind of consensus.

6. 7. Criticism is frequent, frank and relatively comfortable. 8. Members are free to express feeling and idea concerning to the group's problem and operation. When the action is taken, final assignment are made and accepted. 10. Group leadership is less important but to get the job done is crucial. 11. The group is sell-conscious of it own operation.

7. II. Defining Conflict Definition • A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one. • An incompatibility between two or more opinions, principles, interests.

8. Conflict Vs. Disagreement Disagreement argumentative dialogue in team discussions inevitable and healthy Conflict disagreement that has elevated to an emotional level interrupts the normal work activity

9. III. Causes of Conflict • There is a perceived breach of faith and trust between individuals  • There is unresolved disagreement that has escalated to an emotional level • There is miscommunication leading to unclear expectations • There are personality clashes • There are differences in acquired values • There is underlying stress and tension • There are ego problems  • There are combinations of factors

10. IV. Team problem solving method • Define problem • Identify and define the root of the problem • Generate alternative solution • Evaluate the alternatives • Agree on best solution • Develop an action plan • Implement and evaluate the solution

11. Define the problem A primary source of team ineffectiveness is rushing to solution before properly define problems Identify and define the root of the problem • How serious is the problem? • What are the causes of the problem? • What are the effects of the problem? • What obstacles keep the group from achieving the goal?

12. Generate alternative solution Brainstorm all the possible solution Do not worry whether or not they are realistic, practical, or effective Evaluate alternative Is it relevant to team’s situation? Is it realistic? Is it manageable? What are the consequences – both good and bad? Agree on best solution Evaluating criteria or voting by the dot number Rule for decision making

13. Develop an action plan Consider: - Goal - Strategy - Timeframe - Responsibility - Outcome Implement and evaluate the solution How effective is the solution? Did it achieve what you wanted? What consequences (good and bad) did it has?

14. V. Why teams fail? Here are the three barriers to team success: • External barriers • Internal barriers • Groupthink

15. External barriers to teamwork • Work load • The norms of behaviors in team • Team leaders do not control the team members adequately • Frequent changes in team membership • Team members oppose to take responsibility for tasks expected of them • Team’s charter is not well written

16. Internal barriers to teamwork • Don’t set goals for the team and implement a plan for reaching them • Don’t spend enough time planning • Don’t resolve interpersonal conflict • Don’t conduct efficient meetings • Lack of consistent or clear team leadership • Inability to make decision effectively as a group

17. Groupthink • Groupthink describes the situation where no one in the team challenges the ideas of the team or wishes to be seen to be out of step with the rest of the team. (CM textbook, 2009ed.)

18. Groupthink • There are some symptoms of decision affected by groupthink: • Incomplete survey of alternatives • Incomplete survey of objectives • Failure to examine risks of preferred choice • Failure to re-appraise initially rejected alternatives • Poor information search • Failure to work out contingency plans

19. How the groupthink can be avoided or minimized? • During team discussions and decision making process, leader should take care of the following: • Keep the group size small (6 – 10). • Everyone gets an opportunity to express his or her views independently and freely without hesitation. • Being polite to discourage domination by a few individuals who articulate in the group. • Encourage participants to challenge the views of the others in the group or team. • After everyone in the group has expressed his/her opinion on a particular issue, bring the discussion towards conclusion.

20. Thank You!!