Working group

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For the kennel club designation of thoroughbred canines, see Working Group (dogs).

A working group is an ad hoc group of subject-matter experts working together to achieve specified goals. The term sometimes refers more specifically to an interdisciplinary collaboration of researchers working on new research activities that would be difficult to develop under traditional funding mechanisms (e.g., federal agencies). The lifespan of a working group can last anywhere between a few months and several years. Such groups have the tendency to develop a quasi-permanent existence once the assigned task is accomplished;[citation needed] hence the need to disband (or phase out) the working group once it has achieved its goal(s).

Examples of common goals for working groups include:

Parliamentary Working Group
  • creation of an informational document
  • creation of a standard
  • resolution of problems related to a system or network
  • Continuous improvement
  • Research

Working groups are also referred to as task groups, workgroups, or technical advisory groups.

Characteristics

The nature of the working group may depend on the group's raison d’être — which may be technical, artistic (specifically musical), or administrative in nature.

Administrative working groups

These working groups are established by decision makers at higher levels of the organization for the following purposes:

  1. To elaborate, consolidate, and build on the consensus of the decision makers; and
  2. To ensure (and improve) coordination among the various segments of the organization. A shared commitment to agreed common aims develops among the parties as they work together to clarify issues, formulate strategies, and develop action plans.

For example, the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs is a group of twelve federal agencies within the executive branch of the U.S. government, and is responsible for promoting achievement of positive results for at-risk youth. This working group was formally established by Executive Order 13459, Improving the Coordination and Effectiveness of Youth Programs, on February 7, 2008.[1]

Quality circles are an alternative to the dehumanizing concept of the division of labor, where workers or individuals are treated like robots. Quality circles can help enrich the lives of workers or students and aid in creating harmony and high performance. Typical topics are improving occupational safety and health, improving product design, and improvement in the workplace and manufacturing processes.

Musical working groups

Although any artisan or artist can benefit from being part of a working group, it is especially of great import for session players. Musicians face a variety of challenges that can impede the formation of musical working groups, such as touring and studio recording sessions. Such activities make it that much more difficult to concentrate on the developing the cohesiveness that is required to maintain a working group.

However, working groups have been shown to be rewarding to the stakeholders, as it fosters innovation. By working with the same people frequently, members become familiar with the répertoire of other members, which develops trust and encourages spontaneity.

Some of the more notable musical working groups include:

  • Abdullah Ibrahim Trio;
  • Alex von Schlippenbach Trio;
  • Dave Holland (Trio, Quartet, or Quintet);
  • Die Like A Dog Quartet;
  • Gary Bartz Quartet;
  • Vandermark 5; and
  • William Parker Quartet (Trio/Quartet).

Technical working groups

In many technical organizations, for example Standards organizations, the groups that meet and make decisions are called "working groups". Examples include:

In some cases, like the Printer Working Group, an entire consortium uses the term "working group" for itself.

The rules for who can be a part of the working groups, and how a working group makes decisions, varies considerably between organizations.

Motivation in Working Groups

See also: Work motivation

Workers in any organization need something to keep them working. Most of the time, the salary of the employee is enough to keep him or her working for an organization. An employee must be motivated to work for a company or organization. If no motivation is present in an employee, then that employee’s quality of work or all work in general will deteriorate.

When motivating an audience, you can use general motivational strategies or specific motivational appeals. General motivational strategies include soft sell versus hard sell and personality type. Soft sell strategies have logical appeals, emotional appeals, advice and praise. Hard sell strategies have barter, outnumbering, pressure and rank. Also, you can consider basing your strategy on your audience personality. Specific motivational appeals focus on provable facts, feelings, right and wrong, audience rewards and audience threats.[3]

Problem solving

See also: Creativity techniques

In problem-solving contexts, the random-word creativity technique is perhaps the simplest method. A person confronted with a problem is presented with a randomly generated word, in the hopes of a solution arising from any associations between the word and the problem. A random image, sound, or article can be used instead of a random word as a kind of creativity goad or provocation.[4][5]

Tools and methodologies to support creativity.

  • TRIZ (theory which are derived from tools such as ARIZ or TRIZ contradiction matrix)
  • *Think outside the box
  • The method SVTI or USIT of convergent creativity

Mechanics

It is imperative for the participants to appreciate and understand that the working group is intended to be a forum for cooperation and participation. Participants represent the interests and views of stakeholders from disparate sectors of the community which happen to have a vested interest in the results of the WG. Therefore, maintaining and strengthening communication lines with all parties involved is essential (this responsibility cuts both ways — stakeholders are expected to share what information, knowledge and expertise they have on the issue.)

Programmes developed should be evaluated by encouraging community input and support; this will ensure that such programmes meet the community's vision for its future. The WG should also regularly seek community feedback on their projects. Apropos questions to be asked during such meetings include:

  • What were the objectives of the program?
  • What were the results of the project?
  • What effect did the results have on the identified problem?
  • What unexpected results — desirable or otherwise — were observed?
  • How were the results achieved? (Was it by the methods and techniques originally intended, or did these evolve with implementation?)
  • Was there an effective use of community resources?
  • Should our objective or methods be changed?

Depending on the lifespan of the WG, involved parties (at the very least) convene annually. However, such meetings may happen as often as once every semester or trimester.

The managers are constantly called upon to make decisions in order to solve problems. Decision making and problem solving are ongoing processes of evaluating situations or problems, considering alternatives, making choices, and following them up with the necessary actions [6] and now with this managed to reach a continuous improvement.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Executive Order 13459: Improving the Coordination and Effectiveness of Youth Programs
  2. ↑ Raggett, Dave. "Dave Raggett's Bio". World Wide Web Consortium. Retrieved 11 June 2010. 
  3. ↑ Thomas, Jane. Guide to Managerial Persuasion and Influence. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004. Print.
  4. ↑ http://ideaflow.corante.com/archives/2003/05/09/more_on_idea_generation_tools_and_techniques.php
  5. ↑ http://mitsloan.mit.edu/vc/Ideationpaper022805.pdf
  6. ↑ The Decision‐Making Process by John Wiley & Sons..

External links

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