Research Review Team Charter Prompt*

Leslie Bruce, CSUF

Scenario: Effective team work demands groups to work efficiently, communicate openly and
respectfully, and set and monitor goals. Your first project as a team is to specify the details of
your work schedule and duties in a “Team Charter.” This Charter will help you collaborate—or
if absolutely necessary—terminate the membership of one of your team members. It is essential
that every member of the group contributes and agrees to each item of the charter. You’ll submit
this charter, printed, scanned, and then uploaded, to Titanium by March 8th, 2018, 11:55 PM.

Format: Use a memo format (Google model memos if you’re unsure). Create headings as
appropriate for this assignment’s context. Single-spaced (double between Ps), 1” margins all
around, 2 page limit (excluding the timesheet sample).

Content:
Define your Research group (or Company, if you like) and its Norms:
1. Name your team and design a logo with which to “brand” your documents.
2. Write a 1-3 sentence mission statement specifying the audience and purpose of your
team’s work.
3. Discuss overall performance expectations for the project and team. Be very specific.
Questions to consider include how you’ll meet (where, when, how long, how often); how
you’ll communicate (e.g., text, email, phone?), how long you’ll wait for a response from
a teammate, what constitutes un/acceptable work, and for what behaviors members will
receive a warning or “strike” against their performance.
4. How will you resolve conflicts? Consult the internet.
5. Write a “firing clause” that specifies the types and numbers of charter breaches that
constitute grounds for bringing Dr. Bruce a firing request.

Time Management/Recording:
1. Include a blank copy of a timesheet on which you plan to record participation/effort rates;
just show me the chart’s headings. Consult the sample timesheet posted on Ti for ideas.
Keep a copy for yourself. You must record all participation—or lack thereof. Firing
requests cannot be considered without a complete timesheet.
2. Create a timeline for the project milestones you’ll meet plus the due dates you find on our
English 363 schedule. You can make this a list. For example, include the day you intend
to complete a first draft, but also the day assigned for peer review of the draft.

Research Requirement: You must cite two sources in this charter addressing conflict
resolution and/or effective collaboration. Use APA style.

*adapted from the “Sample Group Charter” on instructors.ifixit.com