Final Reflection our Team Collaboration

To conclude this Collaborative design subject I feel I had a rewarding and memorable experience working as a part of a multi-disciplinary design team. This was the first time since first year that we have done this, and there has been a dramatic change since. Team members now have knowledge and skills that are based around their discipline. I find this really exciting how much we have all learnt in three years!

On the whole we worked really well as a team. We began the project working as a group, but I think we eventually pulled together and started working like a team ((Katzenback & Smith, 2001)). It is a shame about Ind1 who impaired our collaborative efforts a bit, but it was a learning experience. I think the most valuable lesson I got from this whole experience was to be aware of your team mates throughout the whole process, not only when approaching a dead line. This was something that we as a group did not do and it cost us in the end. Issues need to be resolved as soon as they begin to emerge, not later once they have already done the damage. The other main learning experiences for me were;

1. To appreciate each discipline for the unique perspective and knowledge that they are able to offer.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Even if everyone is from a different discipline they will still be able to help out in some way. Even if it is just in the way of encouragement, good team mates are able to take pressure off you and turn an unexpected situation into a learning and rewarding experience.

3. There are different roles that need to be filled, team leader is not the only one.

4. Constant communication is vital.

Why was our team a success? (Mostly)

We established a team leader quite early on. We were lucky to have one who was a very willing and natural leader. Without his leadership our team would have definitely struggled with planning and delegation, he kept us structured and efficient.

We also had two very solid team workers who were reliable and predictable. This constancy is very reassuring in a team environment (Belbin, 2010).

We all got along really well. Some great friendships were formed and this made it much easier working together. The team was very informal and casual, so I believe everyone felt comfortable sharing and talking to each-other.

I believe that we, as a team, made great progress together. Our very first presentation together was okay, the second one was decent and our final presentation is where I feel we really stepped up. I think the way we worked cohesively together really showed and I am proud of what we were abel to achieve. I don't think any one of us would have been able to create by themselves, what the five of us did as a team. It has been an extremely rewarding experience and it has been an eye-opener to what design is really all about.