Quick group assessment tool

‘Hard’ processes are not specifically dialogue requirements, but are useful basic protocols for group effectiveness and a good foundation to have if the group meets regularly and has accountability for reporting to a higher authority.

How do the groups you participate in fare?

Do you have...	Your comments
Agendas, minutes
Objective setting
Decision making (options, proposals, minutes agendas)
Inviting of new ideas
Building on existing ideas
Ways of establishing priorities
Review mechanisms
A process for reviewing progress
Negotiating procedures
Chairmanship conventions
Monitoring arrangements

‘Soft’ processes are the behaviours of more mature teams that have the potential to engage in dialogue effectively. How do your groups fare?

Does everyone…	Your comments
Express feelings openly
Work through conflict as it arises
Delay until consensus is reached
Value colleagues as people
Spend time on group development
Acknowledge inadequacy
Build trust
Risk exposing feelings as well as thoughts
Surface beliefs and assumptions
Claim leadership of the team occasionally