Advantage: - more information and knowledge is focused on the issue - A greater number and diversity of alternatives can be developed - better understanding and acceptance of the final decision - members develop knowledge and skills for future use - shared responsibility - willing to take more risks
Disadvantage: - time consuming - disagreements may delay decisions and cause hard feelings - one or two group members may dominate discussion - many ideas may be forgotten if no note taking.
-The problems can be solved quickly -You get many ideas as the solution of the problem -There are many possible solutions from which the greatest can be selected. Etc
A few disadvantages are;
-Time consumption to create a team - Some team members do not participate as much as others - Costs of time and human resources towards building a team etc.
The advantages of group work are that the members bring their own special expertise to the groups and in this way the team can have more specialized people. More minds bring more ideas and in this way the process of innovation speeds up as the people bring different ideas. There are various view points involved in work which mean that people will evaluate the work from different angles and reduce the chances of mistakes. Team work also reduces the work burden and can improve the quality of work.
The disadvantages of group work are that when the group members are not willing to compromise and work together on issues, nothing gets done. People can get involved in political activities and try to influence each other. When teams work together for a long time, the members try to avoid dissent and try to conform to what others say that may at times lead to bad decisions. Then there is a problem of free riders as some people will not do any work and try to take advantage of what others are doing.
The advantages are that you get things done quicker and you often become closer friends with your mates. A disadvantage would be that you don't always get to work with peole you like and you cannot change
Some of the major disadvantages of teamwork are as follows:
1) Causes unnecessary conflicts sometimes which may result in fights and put the whole project in a deadlock. 2) Teamwork may be great but teamwork also tends to impede the progress sometimes.
First of all, they are not the same... All teams are a type/form of work group, but not all work groups are necesarilly teams... I'll try not to repeat others answers and just add to the information...
- the task at hand needs to be considered - some tasks require or would benefit from rapid/ unilateral work (these tasks should only be carried by leaders with positional and personal power to avoid or decrease the questioning or sabotage of the decision's outcome - work groups are usually carried by the distribution of tasks of a group of people or sub groups that share the following: Knowledge of their existance as a group, of their particular roles, of a timeframe (due dates), available resources and expected outcomes (particular and general). There can be a lot of reporting since concentration would be put in the particular task... We could say is more "task oriented" - team work is a type of group work that is "process oriented"- there is a lot more face to face contact and in addition to the basic knowledge all groups should have (mentioned earlier) should also: Have a leader that can respond to the group's style of work ( individuals and as a whole), invest in time for the process to take place, and choose (and stick) to a methodology. The simplest task can become a long energy - time consuming experience when dealt with through a teamwork experience... However some tasks could really benefit from this process. Specially for individuals that are expected to work in the long run together with little possibilities of other people joining them in the midst of the process.
I have a Masters in Organizational Development and 15+ yrs experience as and Experiential Learning Advisor
Being in a team means that people are working together to get something done. But for this t be true, there must be a leader type, someone with a strong will to push the group forward. This may lead to some narcissistic ideal and a ruler mentality.
I guess your real weakness could be having to tailor the entire team around strength and weaknesses of individuals, as sad as that would seem.
This is a detailed answer I gave another person on a similar topic that has detailed information about group work... If you need further details do not hesitate in asking.
First of all, they are not the same... All teams are a type/form of work group, but not all work groups are necesarilly teams... I'll try not to repeat others answers and just add to the information...
- the task at hand needs to be considered - some tasks require or would benefit from rapid/ unilateral work (these tasks should only be carried by leaders with positional and personal power to avoid or decrease the questioning or sabotage of the decision's outcome - work groups are usually carried by the distribution of tasks of a group of people or sub groups that share the following: Knowledge of their existance as a group, of their particular roles, of a timeframe (due dates), available resources and expected outcomes (particular and general). There can be a lot of reporting since concentration would be put in the particular task... We could say is more "task oriented" - team work is a type of group work that is "process oriented"- there is a lot more face to face contact and in addition to the basic knowledge all groups should have (mentioned earlier) should also: Have a leader that can respond to the group's style of work ( individuals and as a whole), invest in time for the process to take place, and choose (and stick) to a methodology. The simplest task can become a long energy - time consuming experience when dealt with through a teamwork experience... However some tasks could really benefit from this process. Specially for individuals that are expected to work in the long run together with little possibilities of other people joining them in the midst of the process.
I have a Masters in Organizational Development and 15+ yrs experience as and Experiential Learning Advisor
