Teamwork

Working together effectively is one of the most important parts of the Booming Bass project.
Unlike earlier course labs, the IP-1 project is a team-based design assignment. You will share responsibility for planning, execution, and results with your group. Strong teamwork not only ensures good technical outcomes, but also helps you develop the professional collaboration skills expected of every engineer.

Working as a Team¶

During IP-1, each mentor group works together to design and realize a complete audio system.
The group is divided into smaller subgroups (typically 2–3 students each), responsible for specific components. Even though tasks are divided, the final product is shared: the system must work as a whole, and every member must understand the basics of all parts.

Teamwork in this project requires:

• Clear communication and documentation.

• Respectful and constructive interaction.

• Shared ownership of results.

• Accountability for individual tasks and deadlines.

Responsibilities¶

Each team member is expected to:

1. Contribute actively to the design, documentation, and testing.

2. Be prepared for each session and meeting.

3. Stay informed about the progress of all subgroups.

4. Support others by sharing information and feedback.

5. Uphold agreements made in the team contract and project plan.

The entire team is collectively responsible for:

• Delivering all required reports and presentations on time.

• Ensuring consistent quality across all parts of the design.

• Managing communication within the group and with tutors.

Organized Meetings¶

Teams must organize a structured meeting every Tuesday.
These meetings are an opportunity to:

• Plan and distribute tasks.

• Review progress and discuss challenges.

• Brainstorm solutions together.

• Communicate directly with the tutor for feedback.

Each meeting must include:

• A chairperson (responsible for leading the discussion).

• A secretary (responsible for writing minutes).

• An agenda prepared in advance.

These roles rotate weekly so that every student practices both functions at least once.
Performance in these roles contributes to your individual tasks grade (Pass/Fail).
Guidelines for effective meetings can be found in Project Management by Roel Grit.

Team Contract and Accountability¶

At the start of the project, your group must create a Team Contract as part of the project plan.
This document defines:

• Shared goals and working agreements.

• Expectations for attendance, punctuality, and communication.

• Rules for accountability. What happens if someone fails to deliver work or is frequently absent?

• Procedures for conflict resolution within the team.

The contract is reviewed and approved by your tutor to ensure fairness and completeness.
Following these rules is mandatory; repeated violations may lead to exclusion from the project.

Conflict and Problem Solving¶

Teamwork can sometimes be challenging. If conflicts arise:

1. Discuss issues directly and calmly within the team.

2. Refer to the rules in your team contract.

3. If unresolved, involve your tutor for mediation.

4. Persistent problems or lack of contribution may result in individual consequences, such as a lower grade or removal from the project.

Constructive communication is key. Disagreements are normal, but disrespect or inaction are not acceptable.

Mini-Presentations and Oral Questioning¶

After completing each intermediate report, the corresponding subgroup gives a 5-minute mini-presentation to the full team.
The goal is to:

• Share technical progress.

• Practice presentation skills.

• Ensure that all members understand every subsystem.

Tutors will ask oral questions after these presentations.
Random students may be asked to explain design choices, circuit behavior, or results.
Each student must therefore understand the essentials of all parts of the project, not just their own.

Does this mean the groups need to have shared results and explanations before these mini-presentations?

Both the mini-presentations and oral questioning are graded on a Pass/Fail basis and are required for completing the project.

Why Teamwork Matters¶

Engineering is collaborative by nature.
Through teamwork in IP-1, you will learn how to:

• Work efficiently with others under time constraints.

• Combine different strengths and expertise.

• Take responsibility for both technical and interpersonal outcomes.

Good teamwork transforms a group of students into a functioning engineering team, capable of designing, building, and presenting a complete system together.