Each effort should focus the project goal further. Students should provide the advisor with a completed literature review. Collaboration on the literature review will encourage group discussion of the goals of the project. Students should develop a schedule of when they will meet, working steadily rather than trying to cram group activities into the last few hours before a meeting with the faculty advisor. This is particularly important when the group is trying to define the problem and project goal, which requires creativity and careful thought.
Members make decisions independently, or one or more work alone.
Although heterogeneous groupings are more effective than homogeneous groups and should be mixed if possible by sex, major, and group communication style, it is unlikely that everyone in the group will know what the potential impact of such mixing might be. Moreover, even good friends have different styles of working and are unaware of the impact of those differences. Teams need to assess their differences in working styles, using one of the diagnostic tools available to help with the diagnosis. Careful attention to team building will help. Before work on the project begins, time must be spent on discussing team goals, roles, and tasks.