Teamwork is a requirement for a successful career, but college classes rarely give this topic the importance it deserves. A task will be presented that student teams perform during the week prior to beginning any project. This task requires students to plan a schedule, agree on a team contract, and choose a method for team communication.

Employers want students to be able to work in teams to complete quality projects on time. Instructors expect student teams to be self managing, but experience has shown that team problems are the biggest reason that projects fail.

This instructor has developed a week-long task where students intentionally plan for the successful completion of their team project. This task gives students the time and the academic credit for defining and adhering to a team process.

Elaine Haight, Instructor, Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, CA