{"id":72,"date":"2017-12-07T19:50:14","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T00:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/technicalwriting2ed\/part\/teamwork\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:27:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T19:27:15","slug":"teamwork","status":"publish","type":"part","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/technicalwriting2ed\/part\/teamwork\/","title":{"raw":"4. TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION","rendered":"4. TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION"},"content":{"raw":"Teamwork is a key competency expected in most workplaces, especially where complex tasks require differing areas of expertise. Working in teams allows us to address the increasing complexity of large projects, and integrate a diversity of skills, experiences, and expertise to <\/span>complete them more quickly and skillfully than\u00a0 individuals working alone. Imagine how many people must work together to designs a sophisticated product like <\/span>Skyrim<\/em>\u00a0(check out this information on the\u00a0<\/span>Skyrim<\/em>\u00a0development team<\/a> if you want to know the answer).<\/span>\r\n\r\nTeam Synergy describes the phenomenon when \"the whole is more than the sum of its parts\" -- that is,\u00a0 when the team's achievement exceeds the sum of what each team member could achieve working individually. We know that team synergy and team intelligence generally lead to greater efficiency and better results. Why, then, do some people resist or even dread working in teams? Perhaps they have had ineffective or dysfunctional teamwork experiences in the past. While sometimes the culprit in these situations is a \u201cpoor team player\u201d more often, these issues emerge from one of three things:\u00a0 misaligned goals, confusion over roles, or unclear team processes -- all of which originate from poor communication.\r\n\r\nYou have likely engaged in \u201cgroup work\u201d in many of your classes; this may have been productive and fun, or may have seemed pointless or even frustrating, depending on a variety of factors. But keep in mind that a group<\/strong> is not the same as a team<\/strong>. Teams work inter<\/em>dependently, hold each other accountable, and have shared goals. Where a group may be comprised of several individuals each working on separate but connected tasks, a team<\/em><\/strong> actively collaborates, relying on the diverse skills and clearly defined processes to navigate crises and conflicts, and supporting each other to achieve their common goals synergistically.\r\n\r\nFor teamwork to function effectively, team members must trust each other and feel able to safely discuss ideas and concerns. Building this trusting environment requires all team members not only to communicate effectively, but also to practice empathy.\u00a0 Watch this RSA short 3 minute video in which Bren\u00e9 Brown distinguishes between empathy and sympathy, and explains the profound impact of practicing empathy.\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw[\/embed]\r\n\r\nClear and empathetic communication is an essential ingredient for a well functioning team. This is why teamwork is taught explicitly in this text. Very few people intuitively know how to communicate in a way that allows them to collaborate effectively and equitably; this requires deliberate practice. Therefore, this chapter applies the design thinking approach we have used so far to help you understand what mindsets, skills, and processes lead to effective collaboration and becoming part of a high performing team.\r\n
\r\n

Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\n4.1 Understanding Team Dynamics<\/strong><\/a>: Understand various models of team dynamics, and reflect on how you might apply them to help your team develop clear guidelines, devise proactive strategies, resolve conflicts, and work productively.<\/span>\r\n\r\n4.2 Using Team Project Management Tools and Strategies<\/strong><\/a>: Understand how to use project management strategies and documents, such as Team Charters, Agendas, Minutes, Gantt Charts, and Work Logs to facilitate effective teamwork.<\/span>\r\n\r\n4.3 Managing Team Conflict<\/strong><\/a>:\u00a0 Develop strategies to engage in constructive, empathetic, and solution-focused ways to manage conflict within teams.\r\n\r\n4.4 Leadership and Communication<\/strong>: Understand the different skills and perspectives involved when shifting your role from team member to team leader.\r\n\r\n4.5 Collaborative Writing<\/strong><\/a>: Understand and apply various processes and strategies for writing collaboratively, and reflect on which ones will work best for your team.\r\n\r\n4.6 Peer Review Strategies<\/a><\/strong>: Understand and engage in constructive peer review to fine tune collaborative documents and ensure quality control.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

Teamwork is a key competency expected in most workplaces, especially where complex tasks require differing areas of expertise. Working in teams allows us to address the increasing complexity of large projects, and integrate a diversity of skills, experiences, and expertise to <\/span>complete them more quickly and skillfully than\u00a0 individuals working alone. Imagine how many people must work together to designs a sophisticated product like <\/span>Skyrim<\/em>\u00a0(check out this information on the\u00a0<\/span>Skyrim<\/em>\u00a0development team<\/a> if you want to know the answer).<\/span><\/p>\n

Team Synergy describes the phenomenon when “the whole is more than the sum of its parts” — that is,\u00a0 when the team’s achievement exceeds the sum of what each team member could achieve working individually. We know that team synergy and team intelligence generally lead to greater efficiency and better results. Why, then, do some people resist or even dread working in teams? Perhaps they have had ineffective or dysfunctional teamwork experiences in the past. While sometimes the culprit in these situations is a \u201cpoor team player\u201d more often, these issues emerge from one of three things:\u00a0 misaligned goals, confusion over roles, or unclear team processes — all of which originate from poor communication.<\/p>\n

You have likely engaged in \u201cgroup work\u201d in many of your classes; this may have been productive and fun, or may have seemed pointless or even frustrating, depending on a variety of factors. But keep in mind that a group<\/strong> is not the same as a team<\/strong>. Teams work inter<\/em>dependently, hold each other accountable, and have shared goals. Where a group may be comprised of several individuals each working on separate but connected tasks, a team<\/em><\/strong> actively collaborates, relying on the diverse skills and clearly defined processes to navigate crises and conflicts, and supporting each other to achieve their common goals synergistically.<\/p>\n

For teamwork to function effectively, team members must trust each other and feel able to safely discuss ideas and concerns. Building this trusting environment requires all team members not only to communicate effectively, but also to practice empathy.\u00a0 Watch this RSA short 3 minute video in which Bren\u00e9 Brown distinguishes between empathy and sympathy, and explains the profound impact of practicing empathy.<\/p>\n