COLLABORATIVE WRITING
Lecture wk16
OUTLINE
Specific challenges of team projects
Planning in the context of a team
The compilation of a project schedule
Different roles in a team
The productive exchange of ideas
The use of information technology in a team context
REASONS FOR WORKING IN A TEAM
Some projects are too big for one person to handle
Other projects are so extensive that specialists are needed from different
fields
People also tend to be more creative in a team context when it comes to
thinking up new ideas than people who work on their own
DECIDE ON COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVE TOGETHER
Do not be overhasty
Aim to achieve a consensus
Discuss communication strategies
Be open to new insights on your readers and your purpose as the project
progresses
PLANNING IN THE CONTEXT OF A TEAM
Appoint a team or project leader
Allow sufficient time to discuss the details of the planning
Put the planning framework in writing
Decide in advance on a writing style
COMPILE A PROJECT SCHEDULE
Time to define the objectives of the project usually during the first
meeting
Regular feedback sessions
Sufficient time to edit the document for consistency and coherence
TASK-ORIENTED ROLES - positive
Initiators
Information Seekers
Information Providers
Opinion Seekers
Opinion Givers/Shapers
Elucidators and Interpreters
Summarisers
Energy providers
WORK RELATIONSHIP (SOCIAL) ROLES - positive
Encouragers
Peacemakers/peace keepers
Feeling expresses
Compromise seekers
Gatekeepers
INDIVIDUALISTIC ROLES - negative
Aggressor
Stumbling block
Acknowledgement seeker
Dominator
Help seeker
KEEP MEETINGS EFFECTIVE & MEANINGFUL
Prepare an agenda
Determine an end point for a discussion
Summarise
Set targets for the next meeting
Decide on a date and a time for the next meeting
ENCOURAGE DEBATE & NEW IDEAS
Everyone should have an opportunity to voice his or her opinions
Everyone should be listened to with interest and respect
Be sensitive to the feelings of others when the first versions of the document
in progress are discussed
View the pre-final versions of the document as team products and not as
the product of an individual
OTHERS
Be sensitive to possible gender and cultural differences in the team
The style of each person is strongly influenced by his or her gender and cultural
background
Use information technology for better communication between team
members
E-mail
Online discussion groups
Word-processing programs that are adjusted so that all the team members can
work on one document