Module #1 - Synthesis Paper

Like most workers, there are times, while working as part of a team, when I think, “I could get this done faster by myself.” My thought may be accurate, but would completing the project as a team be more beneficial for the company in the long run? Let’s look at some pros and cons of working as a team, using an imaginary project as an example.
Project: Mass communication to geographically diverse work force regarding upcoming changes to health benefits
• Teamwork Con: Speed o Working in a team requires multiple schedules to be coordinated. If Mary’s part of the project cannot be done until Bob has completed his part of the project, Mary becomes dependent on Bob’s schedule. Bob may experience an illness or be assigned a task that requires immediate completion. Mary could have completed the entire project faster had she been working by herself. o The deadline for this project cannot be altered, as the implementation date for the changes to benefits is set in stone.
• Teamwork Pro: Multiple perspectives o Having varied perspectives on the strategy used to announce the benefit changes may be the difference between retaining and losing valuable workers. o A team approach to this project can include perspectives from various geographic regions, which may have varied cultural influences and communication styles. What may seem like an innocuous change in Region A may be much more significant in Region B. While the change may still have to be made, the team approach to the project will bring the issue to light and allow communications to be tailored to address concerns.
• Teamwork Con: Too many opinions o When a team cannot agree on an approach, the project may be delayed. For our project, the deadline cannot be changed. o If there is not one team member who can make the final decision, our project may be derailed.
• Teamwork Pro: Knowledge transfer o Teams provide a way for a company to utilize the social capital of its employees. o Knowledge transfer benefits not only the company, but also the individual employees. It helps with succession planning, cross-training, and increases the flexibility of the work force.

In the end, it is important to identify the goal of the project before deciding on a team-based versus individual approach.
• If the goal of the project involves speed and does not require a varied approach, the best results will most likely be obtained through completion by an individual rather than a team.
• If the goal of the project would benefit from multiple perspectives and provides the opportunity for knowledge transfer, completion by a team will most likely return the most favorable results.

Works Cited
• Kreitner, R., & Kinicki, A. (2013). Organizational Behavior (10th ed.), pp.2-31 & pp.60-87.