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Case #1 – Teams
POTENTIAL MEMBERS


The research and proposal were completed last year by your colleague, David, and has been through the final stage of design approval. David intended to lead the project but has left abruptly under ominous circumstances. His design research and proposal are now in your file. In the wake of David’s departure, you have been tasked with taking the proposal into implementation. 

Forming a team

You will be part of a working-group of four, including yourself. There have been many studies done on what makes a good team. The dynamics of interaction and the benefits of psychological safety are two vital perspectives to consider when choosing and managing any team.

As has always been done at Acorn, you will be required to select your team from among available colleagues. You are required to form a working-group of four, including yourself. You will occasionally be able to draw on the studio for extra help and expertise, in areas such as technology, administration and management, and group-care. 

When selecting your team, ask yourself these questions.

After you’ve formed your team, one of the first tasks you must complete is to co-design a set of guiding principles for the team to refer to throughout this long-term engagement. 

Forming a team is a collaborative and creative process. Each member must be open about both: 
i. their ambitions for the project; and
What they personally want to get out of the project
ii. the limitations of their contribution
If they have extracurricular obligations (such as study, other work projects, family responsibilities, or external engagements) that might impede their perspective of the project.

In the early days of forming a team, it’s also useful to gauge if there are any team members who are foresee ethical dilemmas in the project. These can be highlighted without requiring any of the team members to leave the team. Ethical dilemmas may include:

Selecting your team

Choose three colleagues to join your team.
Name
Matt
Work experience background
Communications and journalism; digital
Availability
Full time, straight away
Aware of
Friendly and welcoming; aware and responsive of media 
Keep an eye on
Defers too quickly to authority

Name
Irena
Work experience background
Anthropology; education
Availability
0.8
Aware of
Hyper aware of power structures; assertive and forthright - addresses problems head on
Keep an eye on
Tends to go rogue

Name
Abigail
Work experience background
Anthropology; education
Availability
0.8 but already assigned to one other project
Aware of
Playful and inquisitive; collaborative and great asset in a workshop
Keep an eye on
Seems to be at limit managing job, kids, personal life, often not present at work

Name
Julian
Work experience background
Law
Availability
Full time
Aware of
Committed and can-do; hyper organised
Keep an eye on
Doesn’t have much experience; not a big-picture seer