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Student name: Assessor name:

Jonathan Mottley Marie Smith

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Wednesday 24th April 2019

Programme:

BTEC HND in Computing and Systems Development

Unit:

Assignment number and title:

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Table of Contents
Task 2a - Problem Solving & Solution Methodology...........................................3
Task 2b – Critical Reasoning....................................................................6

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Task 2c – Interpersonal Skills....................................................................9
Task 3a - Belbin’s Characteristics..............................................................11
Task 3b - Team Dynamics......................................................................13
References......................................................................................15

Task 2a - Problem Solving & Solution Methodology

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Solutions for problems is an important part in our everyday lives. So, it’s necessary to have a
distinct set of skills that would aid in solving problems to survive in todays’ world. With all
problems, there are two factors that are in common. One being goals and the other being the
barriers, which arrives only after the problems have been solved.

With problem-solving, there are various models that exist, but they would essentially contain
these four steps that are very critical.

1. What is the problem? This is where the problem would be identified. Once
acknowledged, find out what’s the nature of the problem, and define what’s the
current situations and set a goal for you desire solutions. It is very crucial to analyse
your problem because this is where solutions are established.
2. In step 2, generating alternatives for solutions would be carried out. When
formulating different solutions, brainstorming is normally done, which would require
the uses of logical and creative thinking.
3. Once these alternatives are generated, its time for evaluation to select the right
solution for the problem. This is what’s known as Decision Making. This step is
crucial as with the alternative solution selected and implemented, it shouldn’t bring
rise to any unforeseen problems.
4. With step 4, implementation and reviewing would be done. This tends to have three
main stages in it, this being planning and preparation, implementation and
monitoring and review. Implementation is simply the course of action which is
carried out, it is monitored as time passes.

Application of problem-solving techniques during the design and delivery of the

training event:

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The problem-solving techniques chosen by our team were the 5 Whys and Cause & Effect
(Fishbone Diagram). The 5 Whys, once carried out properly, helps to find out what’s the root
cause of the problems at hand. This process as the name implies, is the process of asking why
5 times to the problems to be able to get the root cause. With the 5 Whys, our group used this
analysis a lot when it came to trying to get to the heart of a matter, so as to understand all of
the elements or steps that had to be addressed to produce the outcome that we wanted. For
instance, to help us understand how to design the training intervention, we started by asking
ourselves why the training intervention was required, and then continuing to ask ourselves
why, in order to work out some of the root issues, which then helped us decide on issues,
such as the order of events, where to place emphasis, and so on. (Price, 2016).

In a similar fashion, Cause & Effect Analysis otherwise known as the Ishikawa or the
Fishbone Diagram was also utilised. Similar to the 5 whys, it helps to determine the cause of
things, and so we used these techniques together. In particular, we used this analysis to
identify problems that may arise during the design phase of the schedule. We created a table
which shows the cause and effects of the desired tools and techniques that are proposed to be
used in the schedule of task 1. (Signal, 2019).

Justification of solution methodologies used to execute the selected alternative:

The solution-methodologies utilised by our group were brainstorming and Plan Do Check Act
Cycle (PDCA). Brainstorming is a way of generating ideas informally; it gives the users the
ability to come up with free-flowing creative ideas. While performing brainstorming, it would
typically help the user to focus on identifying as well as defining the problem beforehand.
Similarly, in ending brainstorming, an evaluation must be done in order to have a better
understanding of which ideas generated best suit the defined problem. We therefore selected
this brainstorming solution methodology, because it was important for us to generate as many
ideas as possible initially, in order to tackle the issues that would have arisen via the problem-
solving techniques. In conducting our team meetings, we had numerous brainstorming
sessions that were very helpful. Our group approached each identified problem in a tabulated
form, which listed the root causes and we would brainstorm and throw ideas out which would
be written down and then evaluated amongst the team to decide whether or not it makes sense
to carry out the solution at hand. (Seagull, 2018).

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As mentioned earlier, PDCA stands for Plan, Do, Check and Act. This analysis has four steps
that are repetitive, which would ultimately lead to continuous improvement throughout the
identified problem. It is also a tool that allows for all the key steps that we felt we needed in
this situation, in order to be able to validate the work done before full implementation, and
through these reasons we found this to be a good tool to use alongside the brainstorming
method. During the PLAN phase of the schedule for task 1, our team brainstormed all the
possible areas that we would need to consider for inclusion in the schedule. During the DO
stage, we produced a draft Gantt Chart, and then during the CHECK stage, we reviewed it to
ensure that it made sense, in terms of the flow, the dependencies, the resources, the timing,
and so on. We found that we had to alter it to meet the needs of certain tasks which were
being carried out, which we did in the ACT stage, when producing the final version. Even
after this, we monitored it as the project progressed to see whether or not changes needed to
be carried out. Finally, after monitoring, we altered and repeat the process until the solution
was reached. (Rouse, 2015).

Task 2b – Critical Reasoning

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Critical Reasoning includes the ability to conceptualise, apply, analyse, question as well as
evaluate ideas. The purpose of critical reasoning is to question or critique all ideas of oneself
and others. Dr. Edward De Bono formulated an approach to critical reasoning, called the Six
Thinking Hats, which was used throughout the meeting phases of our project. Before I go on,
I will briefly explain the approach. As explained by the University of South Australia (n.d.).,
it is said that the “Six Thinking Hats is a parallel thinking process that helps students and
groups to focus more productively on problems and issues. The process focusses on six team
roles, represented by different coloured symbolic thinking hats. By getting students to 'wear'
and switch the hats (and the roles), they can consider issues, problems, decisions, and
opportunities systematically”.

A different colour was utilised for each of the 6 hats, in order to represent the different type
of thinking that was supposed to be displayed when ‘wearing’ the hat:

1. Blue Hat – deals with processing, setting of objectives and outlines the situation
2. White Hat – deals with facts and would be used at the beginning of a meeting
3. Green Hat – deals with creativity and generating of fresh new ideas
4. Yellow Hat – deals with positivity and tends to counterbalance the black hat
5. Black Hat – deals with cautiousness and is used to get a crucial point
6. Red Hat – deals with gut feelings about ideas

Critique of the application of critical reasoning and my experience of applying critical

reasoning during some part of this project:

In our team JM2, we utilised these hats in the following order for our first group meeting:

1. The Blue Hat was used to kick start the group meeting to give the teammates a better
understanding of Task 1. The Coordinator who is Josimar, started off the meeting by
expressing his concerns about groups and informing us about what should be the
right path for us to follow. Once this was completed, he discussed his concerns about
working in groups and informed us of what he thinks is expected from us.
2. The White Hat was then put on to allow the team to gather, review and discuss all the
information that was pertinent to the assignment. We all took turns with this hat
reading a part of the assignment until it was finished. The reason for doing this would
help everyone to better understand what is required in the assignment because while

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 reading, the reader may pick up on key words that the listeners may not catch on.
Once we all finished and discussing the assignment amongst each other.
3. The Green Hat was then used to allow the team’s creative juices to flow and
formulate a plan of action to carry out Task 1. We all had pieces of paper in front of
us, thinking of different approaches to creating a schedule. Numerous ideas came
forth for calendars, critical path analysis and many others..
4. The Red Hat was used after the green hat to allow team members to express their
feelings towards the creative process, and the ideas and plans generated thus far.
After we pieced together an idea about scheduling, it was turned down due to a
number of reasons, one being no one except myself understood how to apply it which
made the team feel unwanted in the scheduling process.
5. The Black Hat was then used by the team to critique the ideas and plans. As
mentioned previously about the team feeling unwanted in the scheduling process, the
all judged and made a decision that as a result of not having experience in the Critical
Path Analysis, we would have to re-evaluate some of our scheduling ideas.
6. The Green Hat was used once again to re-evaluate certain ideas on the scheduling
process and that’s where we came up with the idea of the Gantt Chart. this decision
was made because all members had an idea on how to contribute to the it.
7. The Yellow Hat was used after the green hat to shed positive feedback on our teams’
process thus far and encourage team morale. As mentioned above, we selected a
Gantt Chart because all team members had fair knowledge on how to contribute
toward the schedule and feel some form of acknowledgement.
8. Finally, the Blue Hat was used once again to close the group meeting with some
vision and some objectives on moving forward with Task 1. At the end of each
meeting Josimar would ensure all members are on the same page and then delegate
responsibilities for each member for the next proposed meeting.

A quick synopsis of the order in which our group used Dr. De Bono Six Hats. The Order in
which our team used this technique assisted us greatly. Throughout our meetings, we had
various repetition of the same colour hats and this was to cater for control and monitoring of
certain processes that are being carried out. For our first meeting, our team used all 6 hats
while repeating the green hat for creativity and the blue hat to show directives and objectives.

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I believe that our layout was ideally set in such a manner to compliment out team. With that
in mind about this being laid out to suit our team, each team would have their own unique
layout which if applied to our team may not have the same effect.

Task 2c – Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal Skills are a set of skills that are used on an everyday basis when we interact/
communicate with others. It is said that individuals with a strong interpersonal skill are often

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more likely to be successful in both aspects of their lives, this being personal and
professional. It must be noted that interpersonal skills are skills which can in fact be
developed by an individual. These skills would include a large variety of skills, but this
section focuses on the main ones utilised by the team during the design and delivery process
of the assignment . (Skillsyouneed.com, n.d.).

The effectiveness and application of interpersonal skills during the design and delivery
process:

 Communication – A key component of interpersonal skills is communication, which

was used extensively throughout the assignment. This skill comprises of both non-
verbal and verbal forms of communication as well as the ability to listen and provide
feedback. Technology was heavily used for communication, such as WhatsApp group
messaging or even video conferencing, if a team member wasn’t able to attend the
group discussion. There were some communication barriers that were faced on and
off due to individual’s personal interpretation of the assignment which resulted in
members not providing information in a timely manner.
 Team Working – this skill gives you the ability to work in teams or groups, both
informally and formally. Teamwork was one skill that was carried throughout the
entire group project, which made this one of the strongest skills in the group. When it
comes to evaluating JM2 teamwork, it tends to lean more on the positives compared to
the negatives. The positives that our team have is the willingness to reach out to each
other in times of need. What this means it that when a team member had difficulties
reaching his goal we would come together and aid that team member so that he would
be able to complete his objectives in a timely fashion. The only negative aspect that
we had in our group is the differences when it come opinions and interpretations.
However, this was overcome rather quickly with discussions and facts amongst the
team which led to resolutions towards any problems that arise.

 Negotiation – this skill involves the ability to work with others to find a mutual
agreement. As mentioned above the negotiating skills is a skill that our entire group
would have utilised. This being said, during discussions, one team member would
have used their negotiation skills to lead the group into a particular direction which

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 would be more beneficial when it comes to achieving the groups goal. It was effective
which helped the group to complete our presentation.
 Conflict Resolution – this skill involves the ability to work with others to resolve
interpersonal disagreements with a positive way. Throughout the project our team
didn’t have much conflict. However, there was a strain due to time management,
which created some tension amongst the team at times. However, as a team we agree
amongst ourselves that if conflicts are to arise, they should be addressed in the
meetings so we would be able to rectify the issue and move along to other things
swiftly, and in this way, we were able to effectively manage conflict.
 Problem Solving – this involve the ability to identify as well as define and solve
problems. Problem-solving was carried throughout the entire group project. It was
used mostly in Task 1 to cater to the problems that arise while planning how to
approach it. Throughout the entire group presentation process, some of the problems
that we were faced with were based on time management and objective delivery. The
approach in which we took to achieve this problem was with the use of OneDrive.
This program gave us the capability to check and verify if objectives that where
delegated toward team members have been started and carried. With this being in
place it would help to control and monitor what is being done.

Task 3a - Belbin’s Characteristics

The roles each person took within the group and whether the combination of the
identified roles made a good mix:

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Before continuing, lets understand what is a Team Role. It is states by Skillsyouneed.com
(n.d.). that “To understand how a group operates it is necessary not only to look that the role
of the group leader but also at the roles of the individual members of the group. We use the
word ‘role’ in this context to describe how people behave, contribute and relate with others,
in other words we attempt to categorise personality types so that strengths and weaknesses
can be identified and recognised amongst the group members”.

Meredith Belbin’s study lead to the definition of nine Team Roles. He explained that a team
should have the different roles in order to acquire the maximum performance. He went on to
state that team roles are complementary, and represent different behavioural roles that need to
be adopted (which is separate from the tasks, or the work, that actually needs to be
completed).

The roles, and how they were each assigned, are outlined below:
1. Specialist is individuals who have an acquired set of technical skills as well as
specialised knowledge in their own field. With reference to our group, each team
member took on the Specialist role with regards to the area in which we were
focussing on; e.g. Marc was the expert assigned to Team Dynamics.
2. Completer/Finisher tends to pay attention to details. Monitoring and controlling all
tasks and can have a tendency to be a perfectionist. In our group Makasi possessed
this role. At the end of each piece for task 1, he would evaluate each piece and ensure
that it meets requirements and is satisfactory.
3. Team Worker is the member that tends to be very supportive, even though the entire
team had team worker as a role, I tend to have this role at most times. Although I may
come across to the opposite of team worker, when it comes to getting work done, I
was always supportive and took all team members feelings into consideration when it
comes to it. On every meeting when it came close to the end, I offered that added
encouragement to drive forward and complete what was needed to get done.
4. Implementers have practical common sense, self-control and discipline. They favour
hard work and tackle problems in a systematic fashion. They turn ideas into
manageable projects. Throughout the entire project, I came up with the idea of

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 tackling task 1 in pieces as if it was mini projects. This approach would give everyone
responsibilities in complete each piece as well as it would show how each team
member is thinking.
5. Shaper is a driven, passionate and highly motivated person. Such persons like to
challenge others into action. throughout our group, this role was always
complimented by the role of coordinator who is Josimar. This shows that the
coordinator has a particular set of skills to motivate team members. Throughout the
group presentation, while we had some challenges, Josimar would uplift the team and
push us forward to the end goal.
6. Co-ordinator is the natural coordinator of the team. This individual trust others and
delegates task. They are quick to spot each individual talent. In our group Josimar was
our coordinator, he was able to keep us focused on the end result, which was the
completion of the presentation. Even though Josimar is the coordinator, Makasi was
second in command due to this being his secondary role in the group.
7. Monitor Evaluator is a sensible, thoughtful and critical. They are slow in making
decisions and prefer having time to think things over. They ensure the team does not
make mistakes. This role was Makasi third role which means it’s not his strength,
however he has this trait in him. With Completer as his main role. it is seen fit that
this role would go hand in hand with the completer role. What is meant in this is that
all information that is passed through the group, would be critiqued to ensure its
satisfactory, and then his primary role of completer comes into play and finishes what
was needed.
8. Resource Investigator is a cheerful, extroverted person with lots of contacts. This
person is quite enthusiastic, adventurous and open-minded. This role was not
represented by ‘One person’, what this mean is that our entire team in my opinion this
role consisted of each member of the team. Throughout the entire group presentation
not one person was limited to doing research, but all team members were incorporated
in it.
9. Plant is the creative thinker of the team. This individual is highly innovative and
original. They provide ideas that would result in the establishment of great
development. This is my primary role. When any problems our group were faces with,
I attempted to give some form of creative feedback which would benefit the group.
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 One problem in particular our group had was with scheduling and the way in which
we were going to carry it out.

A synopsis of Task 3a would show that our group consisted of all Belbin’s Roles. In my
opinion, it shows that we have a good mixture of roles in our team.

Critical evaluation of my performance in this project and my contribution to the team I

worked in:

Firstly, let me identify my three roles, which are Plant, Team Worker and Implementer. I
believe with these three roles I gave a unique contribution to the team. Each role that I cater
to was executed throughout the entire project and I believe my contribution to the group
presentation was satisfactory.

Task 3b - Team Dynamics

Reflect on team related issues and discuss the importance of team dynamics to a
project’s success or failure

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Firstly, we must understand what is meant by the term team. Teams generally consist of a
group of individuals who share a common goal or objective and work together to accomplish
it. Furthermore, according to Teamtechnology.co.uk (2013), team dynamics can be defined
as, “the unconscious, psychological forces that influence the direction of a team’s behaviour
and performance”.
Some key issues with Team Dynamics that may affect a project’s success or failure would be
an effective leader, knowing your team, defining roles and responsibilities and tackling
problems.
 Effective leader in team dynamics is a very important. If the leader doesn’t have
strong leadership skills, the group wouldn’t follow directives and wouldn’t be able to
concentrate on the main tasks.
 Motivation is a key feature when it comes to team dynamics. A group seeks
motivation in times of hardship. If this isn’t done it can have a negative impact of the
group and cause members of the group to be demoralised. This doesn’t have to be
carried out by the leader, however it is a trait that the leader should have.
 Defining roles and responsibilities is very important in team dynamics. At the
beginning of forming a group these roles are to be assigned to be able to move
forward. If this isn’t done, the team would fall short due to lack of guidance and
understanding of the team.
 Communication is a key issue in team dynamics. It there are any limitations to
communication, the group can and will be negatively impacted. This can cause added
stress to a group which will ultimately be mashed up.

Team dynamics are developed by factors such as, communication, the nature of the project,
the personalities of the team members and the environment. The factors mentioned above had
an impact on our team dynamics.

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When it comes to communication, our group had some issues at the beginning when it came
down to communicating effectively. This put a strain on our entire group at the start.
However, being student that are doing a computer-based program, we utilised technology to
rectify our problem at hand. Once this was carried out, our group didn’t have much of a
communication issue again.
In our group, there is a number of skill set in it however, none of the members have the
knowledge on this topic making it difficult for the group to focus. It required the group to
perform numerous searches in order to get relevant information to assist us. As time went by
our group got more familiar with the topic making this issue less of a concern to the group.
One benefit our group had from the formation of this group was the fact that majority of our
group was previously in a group, so we didn’t have to carry out Dr. Tuckman Analysis.
However, one member of the group was unfamiliar to the group which made the group have a
slight strain until all members normalised and we were all on neutral ground.
Finally, due to having other modules being carried out simultaneously, our group has other
assignment which are due at close date which added stress to the group. Our group while
performing the group presentation were all mentally fatigued. On different occasions had to
take a break from all assignments in order to physically and mentally rest and relax, which in
turn helped the team perform better.

References

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