COMM 1010: GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROJECT PROGRESS CHART

_MEETING #1
In this project, you will make a decision or solve a problem, using the Reflective Thinking
Process. This process combines your right-brain, intuitive thinking with your left-brain
analytical thinking. As you work through the steps, notice how you switch back and forth
between intuition and logic.
Fill in this chart during your first meeting. At the completion of your meeting, submit a copy of
your completed chart via email to your instructor.
Meeting #1 Date, Time, Location: See attached contract.
Members Present (include last & first name, telephone Members Not Present (include last and first
number, and an email address that you read
name, telephone number, and email address)
frequently)
N/A.
See attached contract.

In your first meeting, you will write your Team Contract and complete the first step of the PAC
BOY acronym. P = Problem: agree on the Problem to be solved and write it as an open-ended
question.
Team Contract
Develop
Relational Norms
(3 or more)
Develop
Task Norms
(3 or more)
Assign Relational
Roles
You may assign
multiple roles to
members.

Assign Task Roles

You may assign a

1. We will respect one anothers input and ideas.

2. We will have positive attitudes and be supportive of our teammates.
3. We will be willing to admit our mistakes.
1. We will honor our commitments. We follow through on our
assignments.
2. We will speak up if we disagree (or agree). We dont hint or go
behind others backs.
3. We will stay focused on task. (We can socialize after.)
1. Participation Encourager Dylan Rector
2. Praise giver Kelsie Searle
3. Tension- reliever Taylor Mitchell
4. Harmonizer Matt Gruney
5. Evaluators of emotional climate C. Andre Cardoso
6. Participation Encourager Mariana Guzman
1. Devils Advocate & Leader - C. Andre Cardoso
2. Gatekeeper Mariana Guzman
3. Diagnoser - Matt Gruney
4. Starter or Energizer - Kelsie Searle
5. Opinion/Information Seeker - Dylan Rector

leader [recommended] 6. Summarizer - Taylor Mitchell

or rotate leadership.
Team Contract Analysis:

Are your norms and roles realistic?

Is EVERY member really willing & able to abide
by them?
Have you set up a way to enforce these norms
and roles?
If not, revise them NOW.

Step I: Define the Problem (logic)

With your group, discuss and select one issue or
problem related to the SLCC campus, workplace
or community.
Describe your problem or decision here:
College students have to deal with a lot of stress.
State your problem as an open-ended
question:
How stress affects college students.
Update: What factors academically bring
stress to a college student?
Update (2): How can we overcome factors that
lead college students to feel stressed on
campus.
Analyze your problem question: Can your
group answer YES to each of the following? Our
problem statement

addresses one SINGLE issue

is an open-ended question (cant be
answered by yes, no, or maybe)
does not contain an expected
solution

If you answered NO to any of these, revise your

Problem Statement again.

Leader: list here the initials of all

members who agree to abide by this
contract.
K.S., T.M., M.G., D.R., M.G., C.C.

Tips:
1. Keep the scope of your problem manageable. It
must be something you can actually complete within
the time allotted.
2. Choose a problem/decision you have the authority
to do something about. You might want to start a
new office related to social activities, but thats
probably not within your power.
Tips:
Dont write a question that already states your
solution.
For example, How can we make parking more
widely available? is not a probing question because
you already know what you want.
You could rephrase it as What is the best way to
make the administration aware of the need to expand
parking?

Leader: list here the initials of all members who

agree that this problem is stated as an open-ended
question AND are willing to work with the group to
find a satisfactory solution to this problem.
K.S., T.M., M.G., D.R., M.G., C.C.

Step II: Begin Analysis of Your Problem (logic)

Assign members to find information about each of the following characteristics of your problem.
Members are responsible for bringing the information to your next established meeting. Do
NOT sign up for a task unless you are willing to commit to bringing the needed information on
time.
Group members should help each other think of places to go to find the assigned information.
You may want to briefly discuss elements of analysis at the first meeting, but most of your
discussion should be held AFTER members have completed their research.
List assignments here:
Member(s)
1. Characteristics: What are the symptoms of the
responsible:
problem? Include positive as well as negative aspects
1.Andre
of the current situation.
2. Dylan
2. Stakeholders: What groups are affected? How does this 3.Kelsie
problem impact each group? What are each groups
4. Mariana
goals? (Think outside the box. Include as many
5. Matt
different sets of stakeholders as you can think of.)
6. Taylor
3. History: What solutions have been tried in the past to
solve similar problems? How well have these solutions
worked? Whom have these solutions helped? Whom
have they hindered? How do you know?
4. Policies and politics: What regulations, professional
requirements, political considerations, and/or ethical
expectations might impact your solution?
5. Resources: What references can you consult to get
ideas for good solutions? (You are required to use your
communication text as one of your references.) Who
else can you talk to? How much time and money are
you willing to commit?
6. Other: Help Kelsie with the history.

Follow up: Assign the following follow-up tasks:

1. Who will submit this chart?
2. Who will contact each member before the next meeting
to be sure they have completed their task?
3. How (and how often) will you communicate between
meetings to answer questions and share comments?

1. Andre
2. Mariana.
3. Whenever
necessary.

Planning for Meeting 2:

When and where will your next meeting be?

All members need to read instructions for Meeting 2
before the next meeting.
Agree to come prepared with the material you signed
up to bring. If you cant attend Meeting 2 for some
reason, email your materials well ahead of time to all
group members.

Leader:
list here the initials of
all members who have
agreed to prepare for
and attend Meeting #2:
K.S., T.M., M.G.,
D.R., M.G., C.C.

COMM 1010: GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROJECT PROGRESS CHART

_MEETING #2
Fill in this chart during your 2nd meeting. At the completion of your meeting, submit this chart to
your instructor via email.
Meeting 2 Date, Time, Location: 02/04/2016; Conference room.
Members Present:
Members Not Present:
K.S., T.M., M.G., D.R., M.G., C.C.

N/A

In your second meeting, you will complete the first half of the PAC BOY acronym. Start by
reviewing P (State the Problem). Next, discuss thoroughly A (Analysis of the Problem) and
C (Criteria; e.g., requirements for an effective solution).
Step I: Problem, stated as an open-ended question (logic)
Re-read your problem question. Do you still agree that it meets the characteristics of an effective problem
question? Discuss and revise again as needed.
What factors academically bring stress to a college student?

Step II: Analysis of Your Problem: (logic)

Write detailed notes about each element of your analysis in this chart.
7. Characteristics: What are the symptoms of the problem? Include positive as well as
negative aspects of the current situation.

Most college students have to deal with huge amounts of academic stress. Feeling stressed can
be a positive thing since it allows students to multitask in order to get their work done. On the other hand, it

affects them negatively when it comes to their overall health since stress can lead to many health issues
including high blood pressure, headaches, fatigue, and anxiety.
8. Stakeholders: What persons or groups of persons are affected by this problem? How does
this problem impact each group? What are each groups goals? (Think outside the box.
Include as many different sets of stakeholders as you can think of.)

Multiple stakeholders including the college students themselves, college professors, family &
friends. College students because theyre the ones that are affected the most from the things that cause the
stress. College professors because theyre the ones that give college students the curriculum. Goals of the
students are to be successful academically and the goals of the professors are to help us become successful
academically.

9. History: What solutions have been tried in the past to solve similar problems? How well
have these solutions worked? Whom have these solutions helped? Whom have they
hindered? How do you know?

Students are usually stressed about their grades, schedules, and classes. SLCC tried to solve the
problem by implementing academic advisors and increasing the internet access to all students in campus. By
doing that, they helped all their current and future students with their classes and schedules. It reduced the
amount of stress their students have to face and guided them through their college years, thus increasing their
grades and overall experience.
10.Policies and politics: What regulations, professional requirements, political considerations,
and/or ethical expectations might impact your solution?
Theirs a worldwide view on prestigious colleges having higher curriculum or higher
standards for their students, meaning more stress. When students attending an average
campus and experience minimal stress it suggests the idea of a college not being
challenging enough or as prestigious. In addition to this view, theres also an ethical
expectation that seems to view students with minimal stress throughout their colleges
years to be lacking stress due to students failure to take more challenging classes or
simply not enough classes.
11.Resources: What references did you consult to get ideas for good solutions? (You are
required to use your communication text as one of your references.) Who else did you talk
to? What did you learn from these references? How much time and money are you
willing to commit (be realistic)?
An hour a day where you take time to step back from school and work can aid mental
clarity.
There are many resources that you can reach out to that will help reduce stress. Ex.
1. Trip to spa - $70

2. Go to movies - $11 (Megaplex, CinaMark)

3. Hit the Gym - $5 a month (Golds Gym)
4. Go to concert - $10 - $30 (Twilight, RedButte)
5. Go to the Park Free
6. Go to amusement park - $38.50 (Lagoon)
7. Go shopping Fashion Place, City Creek
8. Go fishing - $10
9. Skiing - $70
10.Find a Farmers Market

12.Other:

Now that youve discussed many ramifications of your problem, you are ready for the C step.
C = Criteria.
SPELLING NOTE: If there is just one, its a criterion. If there are more than one (plural form),
they are criteria.
This step of setting criteria is probably the most important step of the entire process. It is
tempting at this point to start suggesting solutions, but an effective problem-solver will focus
ONLY on criteria at this point. Criteria are requirements that a good solution must meet. The
first three criteria, which are required, are already filled in below.
Step III: Criteria Develop at least seven (7) strong criteria that a good solution will meet (logic). The
first three (3) are already provided below.
Our solution will ..
1.
2.
3.
4.

Apply principles of effective communication that we are learning in the class.

Be achievable within our allotted time frame.
Cost less than _$ 350_ .
It respects the students privacy.

5. Can be applied in campus.

6. Doesnt interfere with current campus policies.
7. Doesnt take more than one hour per person to complete.

Analysis: Reread your list of criteria. Be sure these are all criteria, not solutions. Remove any solutions from
the list. If you feel confused, contact your instructor for an explanation.
Now its time to digest all this information. Take a break and ponder your problem during the
next week. As you reflect, its likely that you will think of additional points to add to the
analysis or to the list of criteria. Bring them to the next meeting. You might also gain
suggestions from class members.
Planning for Meeting 3:
When and where will your next meeting be?
Who will submit your meeting 2 results?

Each member needs to complete the following before the next meeting:

bring additional ideas to add to steps 2 and 3 that you completed

during this meeting.
read instructions for Meeting 3.
read the requirements for the groups final written report (see
report example for format).
Review the group process and how its progressing. Are all
members following the norms? Are all members filling their roles?
Does the group need to make any changes to ensure that it acts
as a highly functional team versus a group of followers?

Leader: list here the initials

of all members who have
agreed to prepare for and
attend Meeting #3:
K.S., T.M., M.G., D.R.,
M.G., C.C.

COMM 1010: GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROJECT PROGRESS CHART

_MEETING #3
Fill in this chart during your 3rd meeting. At the completion of your meeting, submit a copy of
the completed chart via email to your instructor.
Meeting 3 Date, Time, Location:
Members Present (include last & first name,
Members Not Present (include last and
telephone number, and an email address that you
first name, telephone number, and email
read frequently)
address)
K.S., T.M., M.G., D.R., M.G., C.C.

N/A

Begin with a discussion of the group process.

Group Process Discussion
As a group, review progress and discuss solutions to any
challenges. This should include a civil discourse
addressing any contractual items requiring further
adjustment. If necessary, you may consult your

Tip:
Review your group contract. Are all
members abiding by the terms of the
contract? If not, why not? Revise the

instructor for advice.

contract if needed.

Review Steps I, II, and III

Review your notes from previous meetings. Make revisions or additions based on ideas youve
come up with during the past week.
In your third meeting, you will complete the second half of the PAC BOY acronym. B =
Brainstorm possible solutions. O = Organize your ideas into a chart in which you evaluate each
solution in terms of how well it meets your criteria. Y = Yes!!! Based on your chart, you will
develop the best possible solution.
Step IV: Brainstorm Possible Solutions (right-brain, creative, intuitive thinking)
As a group, review the text guidelines for brainstorming (Chapter 8).
Brainstorming tips:

Suggest as many possible solutions to your problem as you can think of.
Write down all the ideas, even if they repeat each other.
Encourage wild and crazy ideas (e.g., go to the moon for a vacation), just to
get your creativity flowing.
Dont react to any ideas, either positively (Oh, I like that one or negatively
That would never work.)
Think outside the box. Stretch your imaginations.
Dont stop until you have brainstormed at least a dozen possible solutions.

Self-analysis:

How well were you able to complete this brainstorming session without
evaluating any solutions?
Did you succeed in thinking outside the box?
What was the most creative solution?

Choose the best:

1.Awareness
2.Make student loans interest free
3.Puppy room
4.Sun room
5.Classes available in all SLCC campus

Tip: ( apply left-brain, logical analysis)

As a group, eliminate any

brainstormed solutions that are not
feasible.
Eliminate any duplication.
Combine similar ideas.
From the remaining solutions, choose
your top five or six.

Now, move on to O = Organize your ideas into a chart in which you evaluate each solution in
terms of how well it meets your criteria.
Step V: organize your criteria and solutions into a chart. (logic)
1.

Create a table with solutions listed across the top and criteria listed on the left.
Discuss and rate each solution in terms of each criterion using a scale of 0 (does
not meet this criterion at all) to 5 (meets this criterion exceedingly well). If a
criterion is very important, use a scale of 1 to 10. Total the score for each
solution on the bottom row. (See example below.)
2. When you submit your final report, attach a copy of this chart as an appendix to

the report.

Here is an example: (include at least seven (7) criteria in your chart).

Solution 1 Solution Solution Solution Solution
2
3
4
5
Criterion 1
0
2
5
5
3
Criterion 2
4
4
2
5
5
Criterion 3
1
0
2
2
3
Criterion 4
4
0
0
0
2
Criterion 5
5
5
5
2
3
Totals:
14
11
14
14
16

Solution
6
1
4
3
1
4
13

Totals

Now, move on to Y = Yes!!! Based on your chart, develop the best possible solution.
Steps VI and VII: Yes, we can develop a good strategy. (combine left-brain logic and rightbrain creativity)
Using the chart from the Organize step as a
Tips:
Dont be tied down by the chart. The
springboard, develop your optimal solution.
totals might be misleading because
Record your solution here:
Making students aware of resources available
to them.

some criteria might be more

important than others. Just use this
chart as a guide.
If you find strong elements from
several different solutions, you might
be able to combine them into your
final strategy.
Be creative!

Design specific steps you would follow if you were actually implementing your solution. Each
step should include a person or persons responsible for implementing it, as well as a completion
date. (NOTE: You are not required to actually implement the solution.)
Step
Person Assigned
Survey Ask 10-15 people.
K.S., T.M., M.G., M.G., C.C.
(Consult counselor for ideas and permission)
Matt G. & Taylor M.
(Design Pamphlet in an appropriate format)

Due Date
02/18/2016
03/01/2016

Mariana G. & Kelsie S.

03/01/2016

(Print Pamphlets)
Andre C. & Dylan R.

03/01/2016

Take a break and ponder your solution prior to the next meeting. This incubation time is critical,
because we rarely think of everything on the spot. Try to think of any contingencies that might
prevent this solution from working. Bring these ideas to the next meeting. Youll have a
second-chance to make final revisions.
Follow up: Prepare to write your group report.
As a group, analyze the occasion and audience
for your report.

What conventions (style, format, tone,

headings) are appropriate for a formal
business report? (See example report
format.)
Who is your intended audience?
(The primary audience should be the
instructor, while a secondary hypothetical
audience might be school administration, a
city council or student group.)
What are the goals of the intended reader?
How can you best meet those goals?

Assign members to write up a draft for each section

of your formal report.

Title Page - A.C.

Table of Contents A.C.
Executive Summary A.C.
Project Description A.C.
Methods Conclusion A.C.
Works Cited A.C.

Summarize here the results of your

audience analysis.

Appropriate format: MLA

Primary audience:
Professor Wayne Hackett
Secondary Hypothetical
audience: SLCC Students
Be more informed of
available resources to
students.
Distributing or posting
pamphlets.

Tip:
As you assign each task, discuss as a
group the content you would like to see
in each element of the report. This is a
group project, not a collection of
individual essays.

Planning for Meeting 4:

Who will submit your meeting 3 results? ____________

When and where will your next meeting be?

Leader: list here the initials

of all members who have
agreed to prepare for and

Before your next meeting, each member needs to

attend Meeting #4:

read instructions for Meeting 4.

review the requirements for the groups final report.
bring at least two possible contingencies (things that
could go wrong with your solution). Youll have a chance to
edit your solution and suggest how to handle any contingencies
that might arise.
read the requirements for distributing participation points. Youll
be working this out as a group at your fifth and final meeting.

1-Puppy room
2-Making people aware
3-Sun room
4-Drop out
5-Take less classes
6-Stop working
7-Rely on the government
8-Make college tuition free
9-More actiivties
10-Survey stating what classes to take
11-Make friends and talk to people
12-Gaming room
13-Incentives
14-More classes / different campus
15-Classes available in all slcc campus
Direct help
Prefer not to use it
-Classes/Time management
-Tuition
-Questions-Which one makes you feel stressed the most?
Classes/Time management, tuition, lack of information, other students/social issues,
professors, I dont feel stressed.
-Do you know how to use Degreeworks? (Evaluates degree progress)
Yes, No, never heard of it.
-Do you use the schedule planner every semester?
Yes,No, never heard of it.
-How often do you consult an advisor?
Every month, Every semester, Only consulted once, never.
-