Part A – What is needed for a group to be effective (15 points):
For a group to be effective, several conditions must be in place.
Firstly, the group must haveclear objectives and purpose. Without shared goals, members may pull in different directions, leading to inefficiency.
Secondly,strong leadershipis needed to guide the group, set direction, and balance concern for people with concern for tasks. Leadership provides motivation and resolves conflicts.
Thirdly,good communicationensures information is shared openly, problems are raised quickly, and collaboration is smooth. In procurement, this means buyers, finance, and operations align on sourcing decisions.
Fourthly, groups needdefined roles and responsibilities. Clarity prevents duplication of work and ensures accountability. For example, one person may manage supplier contracts while another handles negotiations.
Finally,trust and cooperationare essential. When group members respect and support each other, they are more willing to share knowledge, take risks, and commit to decisions. Psychological safety is key to team performance.
Part B – Importance of different roles in a group (10 points):
It is important that each person plays a different role within the group. According toBelbin’s Team Roles theory, groups are more effective when individuals contribute complementary strengths. Roles may include “Shapers†who drive action, “Plants†who bring creativity, “Implementers†who turn plans into reality, and “Monitor Evaluators†who provide critical analysis.
If everyone in the group plays the same role, important skills may be missing. For example, a procurement team made up entirely of “Shapers†may generate energy but lack careful analysis, leading to poor supplier selection. Conversely, a balanced team ensures creativity, organisation, and delivery are all present.
Conclusion:
For a group to be effective, it needs clear goals, leadership, communication, defined roles, and trust. It is also important that members bring different strengths and roles, as this diversity improves problem-solving and ensures the group performs to its full potential.
