There are 7 dimensions represent the team effectiveness which are mutual performance monitoring, adaptability, backup behaviour, team orientation, shared mental models, trust, and closed loop communication. Each of the dimensions is playing a really important role in determining the process and performance of the team.

I am in group 7 in class A for the case competition. For the mock case competition in Team Building class, we designed an action plan and a contract in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our group work. The action plan and contract set out the standard and target at each point of our group work procedure. By following the plan and contract, we made a big progress than the first group assignment.
As for the real case competition, we also signed the contract and adapted the action plan. By following the procedures outlined in the plan, we carried out the work process faster with less time wasted on the misunderstanding and repetition.

Firstly, I want to start with the action contract.
By the time we received the case, we designed an action contract on which every group members signed. The Contract basically set out the outline of the group work periodic targets, the barriers of reaching the targets, and the plan to over come the barriers. The contract functioned well as a Team orientation of the team effectiveness model. Each of the team members obtained an understanding of the overall and periodic objectives of the work, the approaches to share the information and the strategies to overcome the potential barriers.

Also, the action contract referred to the shared mental models, mutual trust and the closed loop communication. Due to the identification of potential barriers we might face to, the whole group predicted other members’ needs, identified the changes in the team. In order to communicate more efficiently, we use facebook group as the main basis of our information share tool. Each member agrees to open mind and willing to admit mistakes and accept feedback through this timely way. For the confidentiality of the group discussion, communicating on facebook or email also enabled our group to maintain closed loop communication behaviour.

What’s more, the action contract mentioned a backup behaviour. It required the rearrangement of other group members if one or more of our group members were not available on the meeting date. It is really important and shows part of the adaptability of the group. We also set a presentation practice for the whole group to ensure mutual performance monitoring. During this process, each group member took the responsibility to monitor other group members’ performance to keep the length in the required limit without influence the essence part of the presentation.

Secondly, I will analyze the action plan.
The action plan is more detailed. It breaks up the contract into small objectives. This plan focused more on the displayed leadership behaviours. Due to the understanding of each group members’ strengths and weaknesses, we segregate the group work into different sections, assigned the tasks to members who were suitable and competent. During the process, different group members could be the leaders in different processes. In case, we also assigned a supporting team to the leader for backup.
When proceed the detailed objectives we focused on more to the potential roadblocks. Comparing to the planned potential solutions, we needed to modify the plan. It also reflected the adaptability of the team behavior.
Beside the leadership behavior and adaptability I have just mentioned in the action plan, the mutual trust, shared mental model and closed-loop communication behaviors are also reflected in the action plan. We trust each other by allocating the tasks to the most suitable members. And the member should finish the task in time and keep in communication with other group members whenever he came across a uncertain situation. Every member has the responsibility to search for the information we needed for the case, and share the information on the facebook so that every member can read and comment on the information.

However, when implementing the action contract and the action plan, we still found some of the part was not done effectively. For example, in the closed-loop communication behaviors part, some of the group members were not used to get on line often. As a result, some information or message may not convey effectively. I am wondering the modification of the process. After reading each message or notice, the group member should reply. If some of the group member didn’t reply timely, other group member should adopt other way to inform. Eg. By making a call or text message.

In conclusion, the team effectiveness model is very helpful to group work. Especially in the case that our group work is always required to be finished in a time constraint and in a high quality. We still have a long way to go in MMPA, and I believe if we can learn from each group work, we can improve and enhance group efficiency constantly.