Three Men Valley Crossing Problem

Learning by performing in the real field that’s what innovative and trans-formative learning is all about. Dr. Mandi asked us to perform a valley crossing task(See Fig:1) in a group of three. At first I thought it was more of a team building activity, but later we realized the importance of the activity. Team Management in an Organization.

 Task: We should use teamwork and do the mentioned task in the best way.

 

Goal: A group of three people to move from left side of the valley to the right side with the help of a wooden log. 

Understanding of Situation at Hand: The task demanded a good conceptual knowledge of the problem at hand & building an effective strategy to implement the same. T

The strategy required setting of SMART goals that were specific for each team member.

1.       Specific,

2.       Measurable,

3.       Attainable,

4.       Realistic

5.       Time Bound

We closely analysed the task & broke it down into 9 sub-tasks.  Identifying the channels of communication and making sure what are the responsibilities of team members at different situations.

The key ingredient to success was coordination among team members & efficient execution of the strategy devised.
With all the strategies & processes in place we went ahead with the execution. But the another important attribute of a high performing team is the Trust. There are situations of varying risks(High to Low).It is the trust within the team that makes sure that the team will support you when you take the first step in High risk zones.

Breaking up the task into 9 sub tasks:

  The various steps involved Brainstorming, Conflicts & Resolution, Communication and clear goals.

LEssons Learnt:

TEAM WORK-   The essence of Team Work lies in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of every team member and utilizing them to achieve optimum efficiency.

·         RIGHT STRATEGY -  Strategy and planning are futile without effective implementation

·         TRAINING- Proper training is essential to achieve the desired level of results

·         SMART GOALS- There should be a well-defined goal & every team member should have clarity on it.

·         TRUST-  Mutual trust and belief are the foundation of a good team

·         ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY- Every team member is accountable and responsible for the job at hand