Working as a group has never been something that I liked
after I finished Project Work at ‘A’ Levels. It was, in my view, tedious and
troublesome. Problems such as uneven distribution of workload, interpersonal
conflict, difference in ideology might surface during the course of the group
work. Group mates might just turn into enemies if the group work experience wasn't as pleasant. After this group project, my impression of group work
changed quite a bit.
It all started out from about seven weeks ago when we were
divided into our groups based on the “lucky draw”. After the “lucky draw”, we
sat down in our groups to decide on the topic. Prab came up with a few ideas he
had in mind and we agreed on the topic of stray animals and animal abuse cases.
I must admit that even though I know of the animal abuse and stray animals
cases, I did not really have much knowledge about them initially. On the contrary, Ee Peng and Prab knew quite a
bit about the non-profit organizations involved in helping the stray animals as
well as the current trends. It was definitely quite difficult for me at the start
as I had to do quite a bit of research in order to know what was really going
on. After I did the research on this topic, I understood why we needed
something in place to help the stray animals, as well as those that were abused
and abandoned. With this common goal we had in mind, we worked together to
come up with a proposal to help the animals.
During the process of doing this project, we realised we had
a bit of problem with the definition of animals in our problem statement. We
had to look into it a few times as the definition would determine how large our
scope of work would be. At first, we were too specific such that our scope only
covered the stray animals. After some discussion, we realised that it was too
specific as defining it this way would leave out those animals that were under
abuse and being abandoned. Also, we were only thinking of including only a few
types of animals, mainly cats and dogs. This was also too specific as other
animals such as hamsters and rabbits were not included. How can we not include
them when they are part of the domestic animals that people own? We were quite
lucky that we realised this issue in the early phase of the project. If there’s
something that we could have done better for this project, I feel that it would
be defining the scope more clearly and carefully so that we have a better idea
of the direction that we were heading towards for this project. Also, it would
have saved us quite a bit of time if we had thought about it more carefully.
Throughout this project, the workload was quite evenly
distributed among the three of us. We set deadlines for the parts we need to
cover each week. Having deadlines is something that helps keep us on task. With
the deadline that we need to meet, we were able to complete our work on time
even though there were other assignments that we needed to complete for other
modules. We would also help each other
to check our work which I thought was rather useful for a group project. At
times we might have overlooked certain points and if any of us thought of
points that were applicable, we would add it in and tell our team mates later on.
This helped us make sure that we do not miss out on points that were important
and applicable to the project.
I am also quite thankful that we were accommodating to one
another. As the three of us are in our third year of study, the workload
for our individual course is rather heavy. At times, we might get caught up
with work from other modules and thus, we make it a point to help each other out
whenever necessary. It was also tough for us to meet up to discuss about the
project and the related issues as we do not have a common break time or free
time. We could only meet up on Facebook or Google Docs on weekends to discuss on our project but we make sure that we make
the best use out of the meeting time.
However, I feel that people at workplace might not be as
accommodating as compared to my group mates, thus it might not be a realistic
reflection of workplace. We were accommodating to one another because we
understood each other’s situation quite well. Comparing this to a workplace
where people might not be able to understand what you are going through, they
might judge you for your ineffectiveness. People might think that you are inefficient
and would doubt your working capabilities when you can’t meet the deadlines or
complete the allocated work. On top of that, I doubt there will be an even
distribution of project workload at workplace. Most people would have the “If
given a chance to do less, who would want to do more?” mentality and I think it
would make things really tough for those who are really committed to the project.
I have heard stories from friends who have entered the working world and he
told me that he was already immune to people who shirk responsibility during
projects. He just had to do more than what he should. I can totally sympathise
with him as I personally experienced this before at my previous workplace.
Hence, I feel that these two factors are not really reflective of the
situations at workplace.
On the other hand, there were definitely useful takeaways
from this project which I felt was applicable for workplace as well. Things
like setting deadlines for yourself would definitely be beneficial so that you
can complete your work on time, giving your colleagues a good impression of you
because of your timely submission of allocated work. In addition, at times you
might be asked to work on things that you are not familiar with. In order to match
up to the amount of knowledge your colleagues has on that topic, it will be
good for you to do some research on the topic you are working on so that you
will be more well prepared and will be able to give more insightful suggestions
on the topic.
From this group project, I have learnt quite a lot and was
definitely a good learning experience. I am very thankful for having wonderful
team mates that made the whole group work process a memorable and enjoyable one.
Thank you so much Stray-viours!
I'm glad the experience was a useful one for you Yeap Jun. Great post on team work assignments.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dr. Radhika! It was really a great learning experience for me and I am really glad that my group mates are wonderful and nice to work with. It's a great learning opportunity from one another as well as learning how to work well with one another.
DeleteI was actually thinking the same thing about the workplace scenario, Yeap Jun.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason why we worked well was the fact that we were open to these ideas and we wanted to really follow what was presented to us on team dynamics and ideas on conflict resolution and interpersonal communication. And like you, I have had my fair share (or more than fair share) of difficult teams to work with. Even in NUS, with my breadth Arts modules especially.
Firstly of course, we started working for the grades. But along the way we saw the ideas on team dynamics actually working, and that pushed us along. However hard some of the weeks got, and however burdened we were with work from labs and what not, we pulled through. I particularly liked how we motivated one another, were open with our feelings and praised and apologised where needed. Essentially, we just clicked.
I actually think courses like this should be almost compulsory for NUS students or perhaps even at the workplace. I was initially skeptical, and I felt that the lessons on team work might be a tad too idealistic. But they work. And I even feel that if we did not have other modules bearing down on us, we might have produced something that the authorities could seriously consider.
Companies should look into programmes like this module, catered to the working adult, specifically for team work (if they don't already do it of course). It would definitely be beneficial, and can really produce results, just as how we did without much professional background or much free-time.
Hey Prab!
DeleteFirstly, let me thank you for being a wonderful team mate for the past 6-7 weeks of team project! It's my pleasure to work with you and Ee Peng. I share the same sentiments with you on our team dyamics. It's really not easy to find group mates who can work really well together and I'm glad we did.
I feel the same way on implementing this as a compulsory module too. I think it will be good to include this module as part of the curriculum as it is a useful module that is applicable to our daily lives as well as the working world. But if made compulsory, I think students may not appreciate the things that they learnt in class as much as those who chose to do this module. I have friends who have compulsory modules like this in the university they are studying in and they don't really like them. And I think maybe that's why NUS made it a non-compulsory module.
I do agree with you on the point of having programmes like this at workplace. They can probably have this compulsory course at workplace. I'm sure that it will have a greater effect for the working adults as they would, most of the time, be working together in groups. Being out in the working world, I believe the working adults will stand to gain more from courses like this.
Hello Yeap Jun!
ReplyDeletehaha at the part where you guys were looking up the definition of animals. Good that you guys noticed earlier! Seriously, hamsters and rabbits are not 'animals'? It was good attention to detail, though, that you guys wanted to really define animals. I would have personally never thought of putting a definition on it. Animals are animals, haha.
I'm glad for you, and your group members that you did your research. Not all the time, in fact most of the time we do projects we don't really know much about.Personal research into a topic really is important in ensuring that you can fully contribute to the project. Only with research can you better understand a topic and form personal opinions on it. Personal opinion I think is the most important part of developing ideas in a group. So yes, definitely agree with your point on doing research 'so you will be able to give more insightful suggestions'. I think it really, really, really is the most important and also the least you should do for your team when working on a project together.
I'm glad you found group members who were nice and accommodating, and I also agree with you with people in the workplace not being as nice and accommodating. I would think that in the workplace, people just want to quickly get the job done, and move on, so they don't care about your busy schedule. I think there would be less emphasis on doing the job together and more emphasis on just getting then job done. Hey, we live in a fast-paced world that waits for no one. I think we just have to learn how to multitask, or to better manage out time. It's possible to still get things done even if you have a ton of other things going on.
And yes, I think like your friend, I too am already immune to people who shirk responsibility during projects. I absolutely do not enjoy project work, I still love people though, because I think I have the worst luck in it.I always get really really bad members. I wrote about this in my post, but there was this one time I ended up doing a project alone, not because of lack of contribution, but because my supposed-to-be group mates disappeared. I never met one of them and the other one disappeared. It was a random grouping for one of my lectures though. Of course I,alone got the grade! I may be immune to it, but it still is annoying.
I'm glad you had fun, I think, and I'm glad that your project gave you the opportunity to learn about and understand an issue you wouldn't have otherwise explored!
Diana
Hey Diana!
DeleteI did have lots of fun doing this project, even though it was not an easy task for me as I needed to read up more in order to be on the same page as my other group members. They were one of the push factor for me to work harder than I should. I am also glad that they were really understanding and accommodating. I do understand that in workplace, people would not be as accommodating and like what you mentioned, they just want to get things done. So I guess I have to be on task and follow deadlines strictly so that I will be deemed as effective at workplace in the future.
I empathise your situations in many other group projects that you have done. I know how it feels to have group mates who don't contribute at all from other group work experience. But I hope that you had your share of enjoyable moments for the group work for this module, regardless of how much each of you contributed to the project.
Lastly, it's my pleasure to have you as my classmate for the past 13 weeks, even though we don't really have a chance to work together in this class. All the best for your future endeavours and see you around in school!
Hi Yeap Jun,
ReplyDeleteI echo your sentiments about the scenario in the workplace. Since we do not get to choose who we want to work with, we may not always have team mates who work well with us, since different people have different personalities and levels of commitment to a project for instance. And I do agree with Prab that if a similar course is made compulsory for all future new employees of a company, it would help create a culture where everyone understand each other more and not shirk responsibilities. In my opinion, it all boils down to one’s morals, and I once heard of a company in Singapore (not sure what is its name) which makes it compulsory for all its staff to attend a course that teaches Ti Tzu Kui (in Chinese it is written as 弟子规) which is also known as the Standards for being a Good Pupil and Child. According to Wikipedia, Ti Tzu Kui is based on the ancient teaching of the Chinese philosopher Confucius that emphasises the basic requisites for being a good person and guidelines for living in harmony with others. I thought what this company does was quite interesting and had also been reading and learning about Ti Tzu Kui prior to hearing about this company.
If we end up having to do more things because some of our team mates shirk responsibility, a more positive way to see this could be to see ourselves as learning more from doing more, which ultimately benefits us in the end (more experience and knowledge gained). However! This is not to say that we have to always welcome more work with open arms. It is important to know our limits. When the time calls for it, kindly reject any extra work which you feel you would not be able to handle (recall the instant replay button) and explain to your team mates, or whoever is giving you the extra work, your situation. While I understand that this is not a very conventional view, if we were to think of doing more things as learning more from them rather than a chore and blame everyone for the extra workload, we would at least feel more comforted and less unhappy. And I must emphasise again, knowing our limits is very important and this should only be done if we can handle the extra workload.
Lastly, in my opinion, from the previous group work experiences I have had, I feel that cultivating good interpersonal relationships with your team mates can make your group work experience more smooth and less stressful, even with less cooperative team mates. If people are aware that you respect them, they may be more motivated to contribute. This can be done by creating a positive communication climate where everyone listens to each other etc as covered in Dr Radhika's slides on interpersonal communication. But this is not to say we have to bribe them or go to the extreme to make them happy, but more of to nurture a good professional relationship with them that builds on respect and trust. The interpersonal skills taught in this module will definitely come in useful in times like these. :)
Cheers~
Ee Peng
Hey Ee Peng!
DeleteA positive mindset you have there on the point of doing more for projects. I don't really mind doing more for a project but the thing is that I would like my team mates to contribute more as well. Working hard has to be mutual rather than just doing it alone. I'm glad that in our case, we worked well as a team and we made good use of the interpersonal skills we learnt in class effectively when we communicate. I do hope that in the future, I can have group mates like you and/or Prab when I'm tasked to do group projects. But I'm afraid I would not always get group mates who are as understanding and accommodating.
Anyway, it was really a great pleasure working with you for the past 6-7 weeks for the group project! It's a learning process for all of us and I definitely learnt quite a bit from you as well as Prab. Stay in touch!