Groups vs teams

Written by Sofie Heide-Ottosen

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe the difference between a group and a team in terms of project management and to understand the two different formations.

At first this article outlines what a group and a team is. Then different types of both groups and teams will be introduced in order to understand how and why groups and teams are created and combined the way they are. Afterwards, the article compares groups versus teams in relation to the dynamics, how to motivate, performance, how to lead and the communication. This article also covers problem-solving, management as well as it goes into how and when groups and teams are successful in depth.

Secondly, it will be discussed when and where each type of formation is most appropriate and why to use the specific formation. It will be discussed what benefits that might be achieved and in which situations project management is successful. The use of groups and teams in theory might occur different than how the real situation take place. This is the reason why it is important to follow the scientific ways of creating teams and groups but also to take the personal perspective into account.

The last thing that will be covered by this article is the limitations of both groups and teams regarding project, program, and portfolio management. In this section a critical reflection also illustrates the disadvantage that might follow with the wrong formation or use of a group or a team. How these weaknesses can lead to decision-making problems and in the end effect and challenge the goal that the group or team has been given.

Big Idea

Groups and teams are both defined as a set of people of two or more working together on a task, but the two gatherings differ from eachother on especially one point. The members of a group is individuals meaning that everyone works towards a seperate goal, and is only responsible for their own work. What unifies the groupmembers is only a common interest. On the other hand there is the team what is a collection of teammembers who share the same goal or is working to accomplish a shared purpose. Here the members of the team has mutual accountability. Furthermore the success of groups is measured individually where the team only can succeed or fail collectively.

Discussion and limitations

Pros anf cons Biases and how to prevent

Bibliography

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