Group projects are a notoriously tricky part of college life. From group members who vanish into thin air to those who try to run the whole show, there are countless ways for these assignments to go off the rails.
But getting a group assignment doesn’t have to send a shiver down your spine. In fact, it’s an opportunity to hone a set of skills you’ll need throughout your life and career.
To help, here are a few tips from Fordham experts on setting up a successful group project, navigating dicey dynamics, and getting to the finish line as smoothly as possible.
1. Split Up the Work … Equitably
First, read through the assignment together and discuss your vision for the project. Once that’s settled, list the work involved and start to divide your areas of responsibility, taking into account each group member’s strengths.
“Have a conversation and get to know each other a bit. Then you can figure out, okay, you’re the writer, or you’re the photographer, or you’re the math whiz,” and assign tasks accordingly, said Jon McNally, director of project management and operations at Fordham University’s Marketing and Communications department.
The goal is to identify all of the required tasks and come to a clear agreement about who will do what. To the extent that it’s possible, try to break up the work in a way that feels equal.
2. Create a Timeline
A common pitfall is failing to create smaller deadlines ahead of the final due date, according to Fordham Theology Professor Kathryn Kueny.
“Set up some early due dates for smaller parts to be accomplished. That fosters accountability early on and helps to flag potential issues further down the road when things can’t be easily changed,” said Kueny, who assigns group projects in her classes and has seen firsthand some of the common issues that can arise.
You’ll likely need to meet a few times during the course of the project, so get those check-ins scheduled as well. With a clear timeline, you’ll know if things aren’t coming together and you need to adjust your plan—before the last possible minute.
3. Hold Each Other Accountable (without Drama)
Once the timeline is set and the tasks are assigned, you’ll be working on your tasks while your group members are (hopefully) taking care of theirs. Even while you’re working independently, you’ll need to check in with each other to see how things are coming along, which can feel a little awkward.
McNally recommends removing the emotion as much as possible. Don’t feel guilty about asking your group members about their tasks. Likewise, don’t get defensive if your group members are checking in with you. Simply do your part and communicate clearly.
4. Keep Your Professor in the Loop
Alas, even the best laid project plans can go astray. Sometimes creative visions clash. Sometimes a group member doesn’t pull their weight. You may even have a group member who disappears completely.
When things go wrong, Kueny recommends asking your professor for guidance.
“Ask for negotiating tactics … or strategies for [working] with someone who is taking over the project, or someone who might be shirking their duties,” Kueny said.
Your professor may have some helpful tips for navigating these common dynamics. If not, they’ll at least be aware of your efforts to resolve the issue, which could help your grade.
5. Embrace the Process
At the risk of sounding cliché, keep in mind that group projects are about the journey as much as the destination. Sometimes things are cliché because they’re true!
“Group projects foster collaboration, negotiation, and conversations with others who have different experiences, points of view, and ideas,” said Kueny. “Students can learn from one another, and they can also learn the give-and-take involved in any collective enterprise.”
So when frustrations arise, keep in mind that your professor likely assigned group work to help you practice working through these very challenges.
“Don’t worry too much about the final product,” McNally said. “Worry more about how you’re working with people—how you’re building trust, how you’re communicating, how you’re scheduling … You’ll get more of a sense of accomplishment from learning to collaborate than from obsessing over getting an A.”
