One thing that went well was that significant progress was made in being placed in a group and getting to know the team I am in. We were able to carry out research to create a literature map of the field we are working in. I am proud of having begun my contribution in a project that will have a substantive, real world impact. The most important factors contributing to our success so far was our ability within the team to communicate clearly, break our goals down into smaller, actionable steps and delegate responsibility so that we are able to progress towards our aims in a clear, systematic manner. Overall, what stood out to me as having gone well was our team's ability to construct and execute a clear, streamlined workflow.
One thing that could be improved was that, at the beginning of the week, there was a small mishap that resulted from confusing regarding what each member of the team thought the end goal was. Although the issue was resolved very quickly and was of no consequence, a lesson for the future is to be crystal clear in outlining what the overarching objective for a project is and ensuring that everyone is on the same page from day one.
The main interaction that stood out for this week was the first meeting. It became clear quickly that when placed within a team to work towards a project, getting to know the team on friendly terms seamlessly is an important factor in enabling a productive work environment. My first contribution this week included part-taking in literature overview to grasp what the ecosystem looks like within our area of research. My second contribution this week was to create a flow-chart to clearly visualise our workflow and timeline for the project, such that the steps we will take towards our objectives are layered in actionable steps and in correct chronological order.
One behavioural adjustment I will make is to play my role in the communal responsibility of ensuring clarity of the conclusions we arrive at in meetings. Each meeting should end with a clear set of conclusions that is understood by each member of the team. This requires positive, constructive communication and the attentiveness required to make sure that everyone is happy and on the same page regarding where we are at with the project. A concrete action would be to take minutes in meetings, and clearly lay-out conclusions and next steps for everyone to access and comment on.