Group Project Survival Skills

       Home                                               Why Groups?

     Where to start?

     Group Roles? 

     Communication?

     Ideas -decisions?

     Deal with Conflict?      

      Manage Schedules?            

    Group Assessment?

Introduction                   Case Study                    Resources

Managing Schedules?

One way to help keep everyone on track is to develop a project grid. It can either be a paper or an online version. While it probably won't be complete by the first session, it can help group members see the project goals and tasks, time line for completion along with who is responsible for the tasks. Sometimes, it helps to work backwards by listing the date the project is due, then determining how much time before that the group needs to have a draft complete (a week?) allowing for  last minute changes or glichés to be corrected. If a presentation is involved, the group may want to do a practice or dry run...when and where will that be done? The key is writing the plan together and routinely having updated copies for members to keep the group focused. Even though plans can and do change, having a schedule allows for revisions that are managed rather than a result of crisis because no one knows what is going on. 

Sample Project Management Grid

List requirements of the project:

Topic group has decided on:

Group members' names and contact information:

Read more about project management in groups.

Think about virtual meetings to help with busy schedules.