Learning Team Ground Rules

University of Phoenix Material

Learning Team Worksheet: Ground Rules (Due Week Three)

Ground Rules, sometimes referred to in business settings as a "Memorandum-of-Understanding," are useful tools for work or learning teams to identify structures, processes, and strategies to meet team or organizational objectives. Essentially, good ground rules give visibility and voice to those agreements between team members that reduce the potential for non-resolvable conflict(s) which often result in incomplete tasks, broken relationships between team members, and non-productive activity within the team.

Specifically included in a list of ground rules are such items as:

meeting schedules

locations

expectations for attendance

agenda items

completion of deliverables schedule

assigned tasks

communication methods

Good ground rules also retain a certain fluidity in that they may be modified as long as all group members agree on the changes as they evolve.

Language in ground rules should demonstrate a positive, encouraging tone and quality in that the use of negative terminology and toxic language is discouraged and reframed in a more positive manner. For example, when crafting Ground Rules, instead of stating, "Do not interrupt," team members might state, "We agree to refrain from interrupting one another." Ground rules should be specific and behaviorally anchored. For example, "Our learning team agrees to meet each Wednesday by teleconference from 8-10 p.m. Central time, on August 7, 14, 21, and 28."

Using positive, non-toxic language, please answer each of the following questions in typed responses of 25-50 words in length. Be certain to address all subtopics for each question.

1. What are the ways the team members will meet (in person, virtually, online, net meetings, teleconferencing)?

2. What are the days and times for meetings? What exceptions need to be considered?

3. What are the team members' expectations pertaining to those team members who refrain from attending or participating in team meetings, or neglect their responsibilities?