The art of group work 

For international groups, clear communication and openness can be important. Differences in cultural norms around communication, punctuality, and giving feedback may influence how the collaboration works. It can be helpful to explicitly encourage questions and clarification to avoid misunderstandings related to language or academic expectations. 

Decide whether you want a group contract

To make group work smoother and easier to manage, it is helpful to establish structure and clear expectations from the beginning. Creating “ground rules” for how you want to work together and how you want to treat one another is an effective way to prevent misunderstandings. A written group contract that everyone agrees on can be a useful tool.

Structure your work process 

A good starting point is to jointly outline your work process. This includes agreeing on the steps needed to complete the assignment. You can take turns explaining how you understand the task, sharing ideas about what needs to be done, and voicing your thoughts about what others contribute. It is important that everyone has the opportunity to speak and that active listening is practiced.

Divide tasks clearly

Once you have identified the tasks, you can divide the responsibilities among the group members. It is also helpful to decide how the writing process (if applicable) will be handled. Should each person only be responsible for their own section, or will you read, edit, and give feedback on one another’s work? Creating a timeline - and setting dates for meetings or check‑ins - is essential. Make sure to evaluate your progress regularly.  

Tips for successful collaboration

• Agree early on expectations regarding punctuality, attendance, preparation, and communication within the group.
• Decide how you will handle situations where someone misses meetings, does not respond to messages, or does not complete their agreed‑upon tasks.
• Assign key roles to support an effective work process—for example, a chairperson, timekeeper, or secretary.
• Decide how tasks will be allocated and document the division of work so you can refer back to it if needed.
• Consider how the group can discuss collaboration issues when they arise. End each meeting with a brief evaluation of your progress.
• Listen to and respect one another. Accept that you will not always agree.
• Identify the strengths within your group. Let each member share what they enjoy doing, what they are good at, and what they find more challenging.
• Decide how the group will make decisions when opinions differ. Will you use majority voting or another method?
• Write a group contract if you are working on a larger or long‑term assignment.  

How to manage conflicts

The risk of conflict decreases when the group has followed the tips above to plan the work and discusses collaboration issues as needed. Still, disagreements may arise.

Once a conflict has emerged, it is important to talk about it in a factual and non‑judgmental way. Initiating such a conversation can feel uncomfortable and requires some courage, but it is often necessary to move past the issue.

Using ”I‑messages” can be helpful when giving constructive feedback or addressing perceived problems.

For example: “I feel that I’m not being heard, and I would appreciate if we could discuss the suggestion I’ve tried to present.”
This is less confrontational than saying: “No one ever listens to me in this group!”  

If work isn’t progressing and the collaboration is affecting your well-being and/or your own studies - get help from a teacher, course coordinator or supervisor.  

Tips for handling a conflict

• Begin by acknowledging that the group is stuck.
• Try to clearly define the conflict - what is it actually about? Are there different interpretations of the assignment, different ambitions, or something else? Describe the different viewpoints that have been expressed.
• Move on to possible solutions - go around the group and let each person present their ideas on how to move forward. Often the solution requires choosing one direction over another, and being open to compromise is important.
• Listen carefully to what each person says without arguing.
• After everyone has shared their views or proposed solutions, the group needs to decide together how to proceed. If opinions differ, choosing the alternative supported by the majority may be one way forward.

Seek help if you are stuck

If the project is not progressing and the collaboration begins to affect your well‑being or academic performance, seek help from a teacher, course coordinator, or supervisor. If you want to talk about your own well‑being, you can contact Student Health Services for advice, support, or guidance on where to get further help.

 

Last updated: 2026-03-12