Making the whole greater than its parts

BMEN 403 - Team Design Projects

Elaine Horn

11/19/08

“By your powers combined…”

Part I

Working in a team

First Things First

Does everyone know the mission? Measurement of success

Knowing your role If you don’t know your role in the team, find out! Team leader presses progress along Keeps you from stepping on each other’s toes

First Things First

Division of labor: ‘Team Leader’ – changing administrator Spokesperson, writer, coordinator, skilled person Electrician/handyman Paperwork is easier (and more accurate) when

everyone works on it

Internal Communication

Listen to others Listen to problems, then offer advice No criticism! Create an uninhibitive environment Keep an open channel of communication Use different perspectives to your advantage

Internal Communication

Everyone needs to stay informed of everything that goes on with the team

Respond to emails Acknowledge emails and respond, even if it is just

to say “okay, that sounds good”

Internal Communication

When there is a disagreement… Pull the leader in and resolve the issue

Who gets credit? Leader makes sure everyone gets credit when it’s

due

Eyes on the Prize

Pay attention to deadlines Leader takes care of this Start from the end date and back up from there

when making deadlines

Eyes on the Prize

Have regular reviews Everyone stays on task and did their part No surprises for the team! Nobody likes surprises! If you need help on your part, get help from

your teammates No shame in this

Part II

Working as a team with a client

Communication with Client

Make sure the client has a SINGLE point of contact Keeps discussion the same Keeps discrepancies at a minimum Talk in groups – this helps keep

misinterpretations at a minimum

Meeting with Client

Determine the goal of the meeting with the client beforehand Accomplish those points - that makes a good

meeting Need one person to be the spokesperson All of this also applies to faculty panel meetings

Meeting with Client

Always restate back to the client what you intend to do Make sure everything is understood Assume nothing!

Meeting with Client

Recap with team – client debrief immediately after meeting Take minutes and distribute internally

Important when a team member is missing Make sure everyone knows what to do next

Final Remarks

These are only guidelines Find your own system Can’t predict everything

Learning by doing

Happily ever after…

Team Procrastinasties

2007 - 2008