Become familiar with the group by studying its artifacts, products, and location. Try to gather, from resource materials or printed matter, a list of all members and their positions. Examine the physical location the group occupies, and try to determine where the group members live and work in relation to one another. Be able to describe them as individuals. Watch the group in action.
Groups are, well, dynamic.
It is difficult to watch a group interact and record all the relevant information. You should try to be sensitive to nonverbal messages, and always, always, take notes. Expand the notes immediately after the observation. Develop a conceptualization of your group. Theories of group development, of structure, of status acquistion, of performance, abound, and can be applied to the group you are watching.