The egg drop activity that was just completed, I thought, was a great way to to through the stages of the planning process and learn propper planning. Our group, which was unsuccessful at the task, went through a number of the planning process steps, including: defining the goal and objective, determining our resources, developing several strategies, making a tactical plan, and implementation. Even though our group went through all the steps, we were ultimatly unsuccessful. As a group, we knew what the goal was and the resources we had to accomplish that goal. We then developed a number of different strategies to accomplish our goal. Everyone in the group discussed different ways to accomplish the goal and the pros and cons of each. We were then able to develop a plan combining the best ideas from each strategy to form one plan that we thought would accomplish the task and reach our goal. Because the task was so specific and we had a limited number of supplies, when it came time to build our contraption, group members each took on their own role. A few of the members were working specifically on the design of the contraption, one member was drawing the diagram and making sure all of the written components were complete, another group member was cutting straws while another was ripping tape. In addition to all these jobs, my role was the time keeper. After our plan was put into action, and our egg broke, we did not meet up and discuss where the flaws were and how we could improve it. This was probably becuase this was a one time only activity and it didnt matter if we found a way to make improvements.
Our teams performance was really good, despite the final outcome. Everyone got to have a say in the final plan, we finished on time, and there we no real conflicts. Even though we made a contraption that failed, we put into action the plan we had discussed.
The group could have been more effective in the planning of our task if we were a little more familiar with the task. although one person in the group had completed a task similar to this previously, he did not have such a limited number of supplies, which made it more difficult.
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I agree with you for the most part. I think our planning could have been much better if we were more familar with the task. The task was kind of thrown onto us.
ReplyDeletePeople at jobs are usually familar with tasks. That was the difference bewteen our project and projects at work. If the professor told us to do some research before had, or let us prepare like they do at work, I think it would have been more realisitic.
Our groups seem to be sailing in the same boat, yes our egg too did not survive the fall. Nevertheless it was nice to see different ideas coming up. There is always a danger of things not working out when strangers are put together and asked to come up with a plan. I wonder what would the result be if we were asked to come back another day and do the same experiment. I wonder if the groups whose eggs did not break would have used the same strategy and saved their eggs?
ReplyDeleteWow, sounds like your group actually did a really good job planning. I am surprised that you just were not able to get the job done. Hey, sometimes its just not in the bag. I bet if this wasn't such a physics-mechanics project, you guys would have definitely been able to succeed. I am very impressed that you were able to develop plenty of different of strategies. How did you have time to do that? My group did not even have enough time to decide how to even approach the problem, let alone solve it. I especially like the integration of the pros from different strategies. That is a sure fire way to get a very positive strategy. Good job allocating particular jobs to each member of the group. Another positive in your groups corner. Undoubtedly this led to efficient use of time. I was time keeper too; kind of boring watching everyone do all the work while you kind of sit there, right? All in all I'd say you guys put forth a fantastic effort, and would definitely succeed the next time around.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is very effective if everyone in your got a say in the final project. It seems like you guys were well planned and each person had participated in the completion of the egg. Even though the egg did not survive your group seem to work pretty well together and I feel that that is the most important aspect in planning and working with a group.
ReplyDeleteMy group had a very similar situation with yours. Each one of our members took role in the project. We all had fun during the exercise. In addition, it is also true that our egg, "Just Do It," also broke at the end.
ReplyDeleteThe only difference is that we did had a small conversation about how should we improve it next time. But it occurs right after the exercise, we didn't meet individually to discuss.