COM 1010: ASSIGNMENT #4 (TEAM PROJECT)
Objective
For this project, you will be assigned to a team whose members will serve as Human Resource Specialists.
Your team's task is to analyze a bona fide communication problem related to small group or organizational
communication.
Your underlying task is to demonstrate to me that you understand the concepts of communication taught in
this course. To do this, you will need to define and explain appropriate communication terminology in your
presentation. This assignment offers you an opportunity
(a) to apply your theoretical understanding of group problem solving skills
(b) to present your ideas in a convincing way, using Feasibility Report format
Preparation
1. Think of one specific communication problem that one of your teammates has experienced in a small
group setting. The communication problem must fit the following requirements:
-the problem must be a communication problem
-the communication problem your team selects must be a problem that involves communication
among members of a “ work team”
-this must be a problem that one of your team mates has actually experienced or is experiencing
(in other words, a real world problem, not a make-believe problem)
Please focus on ONE specific problem. State the problem as an open-ended question.
If you can’t think of any problem, you may use one of the case studies I’ve posted online.
A case study will be harder to solve, however, because you won’t be able to ask questions
about details that aren’t clear in the case description.
2. Using Dewey's reflective-thinking sequence, your team will:
a) state the problem as an open-ended question
“How can we improve ….”
“What’s the best way to …. “
b) investigate the problem you have selected
When and how did the problem start?
Whom does the problem affect? (Who are the “stakeholders”?)
What negative consequences is the problem creating?
What solutions have already been tried?
What “politics” are involved that might impede a resolution to the problem?
c) establish criteria (you will use these criteria when you evaluate your proposed
solutions) Include references from your text in this section
what the solution needs to accomplish
define your budget
set your time frame
describe organizational policies that need to be adhered to
ensure that the solution makes use of some of the recommended communication
practices you’ve been learning in this class
d) brainstorm several communication-based solutions to the problem
list them all without evaluating them
e) analyze your solutions
take a “first cut” to eliminate solutions that clearly wouldn’t work
create a table comparing each or the remaining solutions to each criterion (see
samples)
briefly explain your rankings
Include references from your text in this section
f) produce a final recommendation aimed at remedying the communication problem.
The solution you select must be based on communication concepts learned in this
course.
Explain why you chose this solution.
Before you submit your report, reconsider the final solution to be sure there are no
significant drawbacks that you hadn’t thought of earlier. Modify your solution if
you need to.
3. Time will be provided in class for conducting several meetings.
Your team should develop an agenda for each meeting and conduct each meeting according to
the guidelines in your text for effective group work and meetings.
4. To earn credit for this assignment, each member must participate in the research, discussion, and
writing stages of the project.
Written Materials: Feasibility Report
The purpose of this report is to persuade your supervisor that your suggested solution will work. Submit
one report per team. Your team’s Feasibility Report should include:
1. Cover page
Type the complete name of each of your team members on the first page of the report. Please spell first
and last names correctly.
2. Introduction
State your problem as an open-ended question (from ‘a’ above). Define and describe the problem and its
consequences (step ‘b’ above).
3. Criteria (from ‘c” above)
List and explain your criteria for judging the solution. If you have well thought-out criteria, and you can
prove that your solution meets those criteria, you will have a persuasive argument. Several of your criteria
should be based on principles of good communication you have learned in this class. Cite your sources!
4. Methodology
Describe the process your team used to identify and evaluate the proposed solution.
5. List of possible solutions
Briefly describe the solutions you considered.
6. Evaluation of solutions
Measure the suitability of each solution against the criteria you set forth in part 3. Include a table in which
you compare each solution to each criterion. Also write a paragraph in which you describe any
reservations you might have about your solution, and how you would manage any problems that might
arise.
7. Recommendation
Describe in detail your final solution and why this is the best solution possible. Explain how you would
implement the plan. Develop a follow-up assessment you could use to check how well the plan is working
after it is implemented.
8. Conclusion
Briefly summarize your findings, reviewing in a sentence or two how your solution can help solve the
problem at hand.
9. List of references
Include a complete list of references you have consulted, alphabetized by author’s last name.
10. Appendices
A. Attach your team’s list of norms and roles that you developed at your first meeting.
B. Attach a typed agenda for each team meeting. Be sure each agenda identifies which students
are responsible for which tasks.
C. Attach your team’s evaluation of each member’s participation.
Criteria for Grading
To receive an "A," your project must: demonstrate your ability to
1.
use the reflective thinking sequence
2.
apply communication strategies from this text to remedy a communication problem
3.
create agendas for team meetings
4.
produce a feasibility report with a professional appearance
5.
adhere to the content and organizational guidelines described above.
6.
write with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
7.
exhibit the Fundamental Considerations of professional writing as described in your text
pp. A5-A11.
All team members will receive the same grade on the written presentation of this project.
Individual grades will be assigned for the quality of each member's contribution to the team effort.