External conditions imposed on the group by the larger organization of which it is a subsystem. Group member resources, which include member abilities and personality characteristics. Group structure that shapes members' behavior and includes roles, norms, status, group size, and formal leadership. Group processes, which includes the communication patterns used by members to exchange information, group decision processes, leader behavior, power dynamics, conflict interactions, and other actions. Group tasks, which involves the complexity and interdependence of these tasks the group is responsible for.
Work teams are formal groups made up of interdependent individuals, responsible for attaining goals.
Organizations are increasingly designing work around teams rather than individuals. A work team is a formal group made up of interdependent individuals, responsible for attaining a goal. All work teams are groups, but only formal groups can be work teams. There are different types of teams. Four characteristics can be used to distinguish different types of teams.