GROUP PROJECT TASK LIST

STEP #1: ORIENTATION

• Group members need to learn who everyone is -- exchange names, phone numbers, addresses, etc. and keep a record of this information.
  
• Discuss what the group is expected to do -- don't assume that the
  requirements of the group project are clear to everyone. More often
  than not, people are not always sure about what the group is expected to do.

STEP #2: DIVISION OF LABOR

• Divide the project up into a series of smaller steps or parts
  
• Put the parts of the project into a time sequence -- in what order must each step or part of the project be done?
  
• Agree on a time table -- when must each part of the project be finished?
  
• Agree on who is responsible for each part of the project.
  
• Agree on what each person must PRODUCE for their part of the project
  by the agreed upon deadline. BE SPECIFIC -- everyone in the group
  must agree to turn in something tangible to the group at a stated time.
  
• Agree about what to do if people in the group "get behind" and won't be able to meet a deadline.
  
• Agree upon a schedule of meetings -- most groups think all they need to do is divide up the work, meet five minutes before the presentation, and "whip it together." You can do it this way, but the approach rarely works!

STEP #3. ASSESSMENT

• Use some of your group meetings to review what members have accomplished up to that point.
  
• Have group members provide feedback about each other's work -- is the material provided by the member what the group needs, is something missing, what else needs to be done?
  
• Set new expectations and deadlines as appropriate -- group's usually discover as the project moves along that the original time table and division of group member responsibilities needs to be modified. Take the time to do that so that the work doesn't all pile up at the end.
  
• Pay attention to possible gaps in the group's work -- are there important topics or tasks that the group is overlooking?

STEP #4. PRESENTATION PLANNING

• Once the research on the project is fairly far along, the group needs to turn its attention to the question of HOW to orally present the material the group gathered. MANY GROUPS MAKE THE MISTAKE OF WANTING TO TALK ABOUT THE PLAN FOR THE PRESENTATION TOO SOON. Wait until the group has a pretty good idea of what they'll be talking about.
  
• Decide on a presentation topic
  
• Determine who will serve as the presentation moderator
  
• Decide on audio/visual aids for the presentation
  
• Make decisions about physical arrangements for the presentation
  
• Practice
  
• Work to improve delivery skills of the group members