This class activity I think portrayed what planning is about. At first I said to myself, "this is going to be an awful exercise because there is no way an egg can drop approximately 10ft without breaking. Being a part of the winning team definitely proved me wrong.
Of the five steps in the planning process, I would say that my group used step 4, analyze alternative and make a tactical plan. We first made a plan and then we made alternatives to see what else we can use. We had a plan that we stuck with but made worst case scenarios alternatives for about 2/3 of the time allowed to plan. But we ended up using a plan that was first introduced because while we was coming up with the scenarios, we came to the realization that the prior idea would be the best fit for this goal of not breaking the egg.
We bypassed step 2, determine current status compared to objectives. We did not identify anyone strengths and weaknesses of the group nor appointed a group leader. We just brainstormed and gave pros and cons to each idea.
I will say my team's ultimate effectiveness of the planning was overall good. We did not just shut down others ideas. We evaluated each idea and expanded from that idea to form other ideas. We all knew what the goal was and the incentive of receiving 10 points on the upcoming test was pushing us to work in a coherent manner to meet the requirements.
We could have been more effective as a group by maybe going to everyone and asking them their idea. Asking everyone for their ideas would have made the group more organized. But even though we did not do that we still managed to get things done and form strategies and prepare actions for the next stage of actually building the idea.
I like your original reaction to the assignment. You never know what you are capable of until you give it a try! You guys appeared to be extremely organized, which by your success, appears to be the key factor in making it work. Although you skipped a few steps I think as long as it worked, to means by which you achieved the success does not necessarily matter.
ReplyDeleteActively listening and incorporating each group member’s thoughts and ideas in to the process is important and I think the main area where others lacked. It is also great that your team was not intimidated by the foreign nature of the assignment and nonetheless moved on to create several different plans. It is hard enough to come up with just one! Congratulations on your win :)
Congrats on the winning egg-protection device! It sounds like your group worked well together and planned what was necessary to take you through the assignment. Even though your group didn't implement all steps, the group was still successful and completed the assignment, and the egg survived the fall! Good job!
ReplyDeleteThat's good that each idea was heard, evaluated, expanded, and incorporated into other ideas. Also, the incentive was good and it helped the groups be as successful as possible in the assignment.