Team Dynamics in a Workgroup

Team Dynamics in a Workgroup

Collaboration among team members is critically necessary if the team is to be effective and successful in meeting their goals.

There are four stages of team development and three areas of development. The four stages of team development are: (1) orientation; (2) organization; (3) action; and (4) results. The four areas of team development are those of: (1) personal; (2) interpersonal; and (3) group. Within the group dynamics are the aspects of discussion, concensus, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. This work focuses on the collaboration that must exist among teams in order that these teams be effective and successful in reaching their goals. The following illustrates the various aspects of dynamics among a team.

COLLABORATION

The work of Maldonado, Lee, Klemmer, and Pea entitled: "Patterns of Collaboration in Design Courses: Team Dynamics Affect Technology Appropriation, Artifact Creation and Course Performance" states that team collaboration is "emerging as [a] decision factor in determining and maintaining global competitiveness for firms…" (nd) Collaboration "has traditionally been considered successful according to the groups' performance. The fundamentals of collaboration are: (1) people; (2) process; and (3) technology. (Alibocus, nd)

II. TECHNOLOGY for COLLABORATION

Technology assists in developing collaboration systems that enables teams to work together in a more effective manner. Collaboration systems allow team members to share information with one another as well as allowing coordination of work efforts and use of resources. Collaboration in this view allows the team to work together in a cooperative manner on projects and assignments. Examples of e-communication tools include: (1) email, (2) voicemail; (3) web publishing; (4) faxing; (5) internet phone; and (6) paging. E-conferencing tools are also useful and include: (1) data conferencing; (2) voice conferencing; (3) video conferencing; (4) discussion forums; (5) chat systems; and (6) e-meeting systems. Collaborative work management tools include: (1) calendars and scheduling; (2) task and project management; (3) workflow systems; (4) documents systems; and (5) knowledge management. (Alibocus, nd)

III. MICROSOFT on TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION