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COGS 9

Advice for Group Projects

Group projects can be challenging. Getting multiple people aligned and working toward a shared goal requires clear communication and structure. The guidance below reflects best practices for group work:

  1. Designate a team leader. This person may do slightly less hands-on writing, but plays a critical role in coordinating the project: organizing the document, clarifying requirements, tracking progress, and ensuring the final report has a single, consistent voice.
  2. Choose one communication channel. Pick a platform everyone agrees to use and will check regularly (email, Discord, WhatsApp, LINE, etc.). The specific tool doesn’t matter—consistency does. For student projects, I recommend Discord.
  3. Assign clear responsibilities. Every team member should have a defined task, and each task should have a backup person in case someone gets sick, drops the class, or needs help completing their work (e.g., the ethics section).
  4. Start early on drafts. Initial drafts should be added to the shared document at least 3–4 days before the deadline. This allows time for revision, proofreading, and integrating sections into a cohesive final product.
  5. Distribute proofreading. Assign each person a section they did not write to proofread. This improves clarity and catches errors.
  6. Communicate early and often. If you’re stuck, confused, or dealing with an issue, let your team know as soon as possible. Waiting until the last day increases stress and workload for everyone. Problems are normal; lack of communication is not.
  7. Meet before dividing work. Start with an initial group meeting to discuss the requirements, brainstorm ideas, and confirm shared understanding. A useful technique is to ask team members to restate the plan in their own words—this helps uncover misunderstandings early, before they grow into larger problems.
  8. Meet regularly and take notes. Don’t postpone meetings until everyone is available. Meet anyway, assign someone to take notes, and share meeting minutes afterward (via email or a shared folder). This keeps everyone informed, especially those who can’t attend.

I hope this helps set your group up for a smooth and successful collaboration!

Prof. Lai