The versatile term working group is nowadays used without uniformity: Nearly each activity of groups is already defined as working group, although each group really does not carry group work out. Computers are in Windows networks also in working groups, see for this working group (Windows)

By "the working group "in the classical sense one understands groups about coworkers, who accomplish a common task strongly function and arbeitsteilig. In a classical working group the division of labor, the fine control of the manufacturing, personal and work time planning belongs to the tasks of the master. It checks whether the coworkers work correctly and is responsibly for the solution of arising problems. The coworkers however are too purely producing activities assigned. Each individual coworker has its own task, whereby it comes at the classical working group to no group work in the today common sense. The scope of action of each coworker, in addition, those of the master, is strongly reduced by the tayloristische work and function division.

The working group in the today's sense is characterized by a increased measure in co-ordination and self tuning. The relations within the group is very important, contrary to the traditional beginning. In the following I would like to leave the classical working group aside me on the modern working group to concentrate.

Characteristics of the working group

The fundamental characteristic of working groups in organizations is the circumstance that their existence on a formal agreement comes between individual individuals and an enterprise and/or a federation. Defines she trained as follows: "A working group is a formal organizational unit, with which several persons in form of the group work work on a common task. "

These groups cover usually 3-7 persons (communication and the group co-operation - the coherence - in the group hang substantially of the number of group members off), during a longer period together close at a certain goal to reach. Within the working group after certain rules one interacts with one another and communicates. "Each member must have the possibility of stepping with every other member directly into contact and not over the detour of a central contact person as for example over a common superior. ", Different roles crystallize defiance of complete equal rights, as those "of the leader ", "experts ", "or "scapegoat "between the members. Ideally also the division of labor results from the role division.

Why do humans unite now to such working

Reasons for group work are:

• larger motivation for the coworkers,
• specific work requirements, with those working groups are of advantage (synergies)
• positive cost effects
• positive quality effects
• Adherence to a time frame

In addition is one the opinion that the particular cannot bring the same results, like a group. Synergies result to something else from the different contributions of the individual members, everyone know over; if this different knowledge and qualifications are supplemented with one another, from it an optimal problem solving can develop. Wrong decision can be minimized, since as it were "several eyes regard "a process. As mentions above, group work can be motivating and promote the creativity of each particular. Since decisions are made on group basis, the penetration is easier this in the enterprise, compared with those by the superior to be alone met.

Possible difficulties can occur however, if the group members not the goals of the group, but personal goals to pursue; the group achievement can be impaired also by an authoritarian group leader or by communication difficulties, which lead to misunderstandings. It is noticeable likewise negatively that for lack of agreement with decisions compromises are often closed, which do not offer a clear solution. Generally it can be said that it can come everywhere, where several humans meet one another to tensions of emotional kind.

However the achievement advantage of the group outweighs, if it concerns tasks, which are suitable for group processes or if the group members complement each other efficiently.

Education and development process of a working group

In order to find out, how group work can be brought durably into organizations, one must become conscious, following Hackman, the following questions:

1. Preparation: Wherein does the task What are the central requirements, which are derived from concrete setting of Where thereby is the advantage of the Which group concept is most How is the authority to be
2. Creation of good conditions of work: How is the group to be Which resources are
3. Development of the group: Which starting is How can the group during the group development process be
4. Hold ready from means to the current process support: Which process support can be How can self learning processes of the group be

After these questions are answered, the working group can be built up. According to Tuckman however this group a certain pattern is gone through, it is to a large extent independent of the preparation: Tuckman investigated the phases of the group development and justified the following processes:

In the first phase, which forming phase, the group of fear and uncertainty coined/shaped, which are members often not well-known, those task not yet defined. The Stormingphase, also conflict phase mentioned, is very emotional, the control behavior of the group leader is rejected, it develops conflicts between the sub-groups. In the course of the standardisation phase the waves are smoothed, an exchange of opinions and also feelings become certified, it develop a co-operation between the group members. The Performingphase, the operating phase, is the most efficient for problem solving; if the working group concerned here, efficiently problem solutions are looked for, the clear group structure and Konfliktlosigkeit make constructional, common working possible.

Kinds of working groups

Sundstrom et al. (1990, P. 125) working groups differentiate according to three criteria: "The internal differentiation "is to represent the different qualification, "the external integration "however marks the possible inventory duration working group-different qualifications and a relatively short life span is in demand, where creative and complex tasks must be solved. Needed efficient groups with experienced brought in activities however, snaps and.

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