Carnegie Mellon University

I have trouble working with assigned groups for class projects.

Some people love group projects, while others would prefer to work alone. Group work can be a great opportunity to practice collaborating as a team, an essential skill in the real world. It can be difficult, however, to delegate responsibility, communicate within your group, and solve problems.

STEP 2: SELECT THE REASON that best describes your situation, keeping in mind there may be multiple relevant reasons.

You’ve been assigned to a group of random strangers to complete a class project that is likely worth a significant percentage of your grade. Now what do you do?

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

Arrange an initial meeting soon after you are assigned your group; make sure to find a time that works for all members. When you meet with your group for the first time, exchange contact information. (Consider using an application like GroupMe that makes group texting easy.) During your initial meeting, you may not complete any actual work on the project, but instead use this time to set goals and expectations for the group. It is important to write down these group goals and review them periodically, especially if you’re working on a long-term project. Review the project guidelines, pay special attention to any deadlines, and create a proposed schedule for work completion and future meetings. It’s important to begin breaking up large tasks among group members, so each member has a specific responsibility to complete by your next meeting. This also encourages group members to feel personally invested in the project.

Nobody wants to be a group dictator who controls each detail and decision made; yet you also don’t want your group to lack leadership and focus. It can oftentimes be difficult to balance work distribution in a way that ensures that each member is equally contributing ideas and completing work.

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

The group as a whole does not need to make all decisions, but neither does one individual person. If everyone in the group wants to be the group leader, project details will be neglected and the group will suffer. Conversely, if nobody wants to take responsibility of ensuring work is completed, deadlines may not be met and the project could seem careless and disjointed. Instead, it is important to demonstrate respect for your fellow group members and discuss in your initial meeting how work and responsibility will be distributed. Consider your group members’ individual strengths; the person with the best organizational skills may make a good group leader and scheduler, while someone with great attention to detail may be best at consolidating and checking everyone’s work. A simple way to reach agreement is to remain goal-oriented and remind your group members that your goals are the same.

Even if all members of your group are hard working, intelligent individuals, group projects can face challenges due to miscommunication. It’s essential to make sure all students in your group are on the same page, and to not be afraid to repeat yourself or ask questions.

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

Rather than jumping to conclusions, check to make sure you’ve understood what your group has discussed and decided. Try paraphrasing what other members in your group have said and ask direct questions if you are unsure of anything. Don’t be afraid to own your ideas, decisions, mistakes, and accomplishments by using “I” instead of “you” messages, preventing your group members from becoming defensive or accusatory. Also, we advise having someone take notes on the expectations and responsibilities you discuss, and then sharing those notes among the group when the meeting is complete.

Sometimes it can be more challenging to give criticism than to receive it. However, it is not just for your benefit, but for the benefit of all your group members, that you respectfully voice any concerns, suggestions, or changes you may have.

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

Having group members with different opinions is actually a good thing; it sparks meaningful discussion, furthers creativity and original concepts, and usually results in an overall stronger project. Remember that it’s always better to disagree within a group and catch a mistake than agree and have a flawed final product. When disagreements happen, members should follow these guidelines:

  • Allow everyone a chance to be heard.
  • Discuss the idea, not the person behind it.
  • Negotiate the best possible decision for the group as a whole.
  • Once the decision is made – even if it’s one you disagree with – move on.