Belbin Team Roles and Project Management

This article discusses the significance of Belbin team roles in project management and how it helps in dividing work and managing teams effectively. It also explores the dynamics of small group/team projects and their impact on organizational success.

ACADEMIC PAPER

ABSTRACT
This strategy is conducted on the grounds of project oriented task in order to improve the
prominent skills of individuals. In this regard management of project is important to determine
and manage work in an effective manner in terms of managing and classifying work in an formal
and informal manner. As for this purpose, Belbin team role is considered which is useful in
allotting work and dividing roles and responsibilities to specified person according to their skills
and knowledge. For this purpose, self reflection is done by determining the performance of
individual which is useful in examining the right skills and performance on time. Moreover, it is
going to provide brief description about the project which is organised in the formal and informal
manner and also evaluate the team roles with the help of Belbin team roles and judge
performance on the basis of SPI and other people observations. Lastly, provide appropriate
knowledge about the team dynamics which is executed in the small group to specify their work
and job role and to describe them appropriate themes are given and on that basis, teams are
developed for effective performance of an organisation.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Brief description of the completed project oriented task within the formal and informal
organisational context.................................................................................................................1
A critical and evaluative reflection regarding the accuracy of your Belbin SPI report regarding
the dominant team roles you choose to adopt while executing a small group/team project-
orientated task within a formal or informal organizational context............................................2
Critical and evaluative reflection of your perceived group/team dynamics while executing the
small group/team project-orientated task. Implicit within this task is the need for you to
contextualise your self-reflection within the critical theories associated with team dynamics,
management, and organization sciences.....................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Project management is considered as a practice which includes many factors like initiation,
planning, executing, controlling and closing the work of team in order to obtain particular goals
and objectives and meet the success criteria and the particular time (Son and Kim, 2018).
Meanwhile it carry basic challenge with it regarding the achievement of project goals which
include certain constraints with it. In order to eliminate these constraints, Belbin theory is used
which is useful in classifying and dividing the work in an appropriate manner according to the
skills and competencies of employees. Group dynamics and team development is discussed
which is useful for the development of each and every event or project as it defines that
development of effective team is required to attain specific goals in an effective manner.
Brief description of the completed project oriented task within the formal and informal
organisational context
Project oriented organisations are the most considerable part of its procedure and
activities that takes place in the form of project. For this, organisational structure has various
components of matrix organisational structure (West and et. al., 2018). This part of report is
going to describe the project oriented task which I currently completed as I take participate in the
ongoing project and also performed delegated roles and responsibilities as the member of group
or team. In relation with this, I am working in the well known hotel based in UK and currently
joined a project which is conducted by the hotel. The project is about the fashion show event and
exhibition and main objective of event is to achieve competitive advantage within the market. In
terms of this, a team is formed of five members in order to conduct the market research with the
help of various environmental tools and techniques in order to determine the opportunities and
threats for the event. As this event is developed for our benefits and betterment in order to create
and enhance our skills and knowledge. As while developing this project, many tasks and work is
delegated to people according to their skills and for this, while developing project, many
challenges are arises that are faced by us regarding the development of project. In regard of this,
motivation, enthusiasm, leadership, effective communication and many more can become major
problem in order to develop our educational project (Krishnaswami and et. al., 2018). For this,
many plans are developed which is useful in overcoming those problems and issues like
development strategies, training sessions are provided, leadership skills are developed and so on.
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In context of this, the objective of market research for the event is to develop the list of
prominent requirements and offering concerning the requirements and needs of customers that
leads to increase the image of event, increase revenues and also develop prominent strategies for
the smooth running of event to attain competitive edge over the rivals. By considering this event,
many activities are organised such as quiz, creative writing, exhibition, celebrating reading and
other related things. In addition to this, major information regarding science and practical
information is also spread that is useful in pursuing allotted roles and responsibilities as it is
helpful in inspiring and celebrating new and advanced technology and also provide innovative
and creative ideas which is useful in appreciating individuals in order to grasp the effective
platform for themselves.
After analysing overall experience, I came to know that I can perform many roles and
responsibilities at a same time in order to manage my team in more effective way. Even in my
college life, at my studies I always to tries to support other individuals, give instruction and
proper guidance regarding the enhancement in relevant exposure to them. In relation with this, I
perform many projects and events and realised that I am more good and efficient in innovation
and have creative thinking skills to make event and project memorable for all of us. Moreover, I
also came to know that I have good sense of control by which I can prominently tackle critical
situations and take corrective decisions to the betterment of event. In context of this, I have gone
through by many training programmes, workshops and seminars in order to develop my
remaining skills in which I am weak and also gone through with industrial training sessions in
order to develop employees relations. In relation with this, I also went through with construction
industry as well to develop my team working skills which is more important and significant to
complete the project. Meanwhile, at my learning stage I was more confused but also met with lot
of people that leads to develop confidence in me. I have and pursue all this in around 6 months to
develop my overall skills. After all this, I came to know the significance of team working.
A critical and evaluative reflection regarding the accuracy of your Belbin SPI report regarding
the dominant team roles you choose to adopt while executing a small group/team project-
orientated task within a formal or informal organizational context
By considering the above discussion, it is determined that Belbin theory is opted as it has
nine specific roles which describe the efficiency and effectiveness of an individual as it carry the
behaviour which is useful in becoming a high performing team with the help of nine effective
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roles for this, each role need to be comfortable with each other and also describe its strengths and
weaknesses that plays an important role to carry forward its activities (Li and et. al., 2018). As it
describes those individuals are the one that put great impact on the understanding of the strengths
which needs to be more effective and efficient in order to develop communication among
managers and employees. For this, great teams should be together in order to develop
understanding and improvement among employees as it helps in creating difference at
workplace. By considering above discussed matter Belbin SPI report is useful in dominating with
team roles and also describes its effectiveness in formal or informal organisational structure
(Stewart, 2019). By considering above taken roles, their critical evaluation is discussed as:
Figure 1: Belbin SPI Report Results
From the above figure, I have analysed that I am good in Plant, Shaper and Implementer are
my preferred roles. In the manageable section of the SPI report resource investigator, monitor
evaluator, completer finisher and specialist can be manageable which means it can become
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opportunity for me in future. Least preferred roles consider co-ordinator and team worker which
are my weakness and can become threat for me. Plant: By considering the above discussion, it is determined that plants are considered as
the innovators that are highly creative. As considering myself on this role, I am more
innovative and creative that is useful in developing creative ideas in order to take major
developments (LI and et. al., 2018). As considering the SPI percentile, I gave 85
percentile to me meanwhile other people's observations regarding this is 61 as they think
that I am quite weak at some aspects such as, does not think that I have the capability to
plan things in an strategic manner or does not determine the complex situations. For this,
team members also think that I need to carefully handle the team in order to coordinate it
in an effective manner and by undertaking other people's observations I keep trying to
improve these skills to improve my competencies and abilities. Implementer: These individuals have same kind of common sense in order to deal with
good things and also have self control and discipline on themselves. Meanwhile, for this
it include hard work and also tackle problems in as systematic manner. As in this manner,
companies are mostly less concerned with pursuit of self interest and also face lack and
signs of rigidity (Aguilar and et. al., 2018). By undertaking the SPI percentile, I gave 95
percentile to myself by analysing my skills and competencies meanwhile, other people
give 72 percentile to me to performing this roles and responsibilities. As here, I think that
I have an ability to turn ideas into plans and also make them more manageable in more
defined manner. Meanwhile, team members think that I make tasks more boring in
relation with employees that tends to impact their overall performance. Moreover, my
good features include reliability, systematic approach, controllable and so on.
 Shaper: These individuals are highly motivated and need achievements in their life.
Mostly these are aggressive extroverts and also carry strong drive. These individuals are
likely to lead and push others into action and always show their strong emotional
response at any form of frustration (Drury, 2018). By analysing the SPI percentile, I gave
myself 75 percentile meanwhile, by considering the observations of other people they
give 68 percentile to me in order to perform specific duties and job. In this, I think that
the driving forces for me is my team which is useful in leading project as a leader and
also make things happen at easy and effective manner but according to me I have lack of
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these skills whereas other people think that I am quite good in this role. Meanwhile, it has
weakness as it can offend the emotions and feelings of other people.
By determining the results of Belbin SPI report towards my role performed regarding the
current completion of project oriented task. As by this, I can say that outcome which are
analysed are accurate and also reflects to my team role with the whole event. The Belbin SPI
report does not offer accurate score to various roles while conducts the market research project.
Moreover, I have determined by probable enthusiasm towards the event. In relation with this,
effective communication with the team members leads to develop the understanding in the
critical areas of the business where hotel exactly need take actions to achieve competitive
advantage. I this context, I conduct environmental analysis which is useful in analysing the
strengths and weakness of the event and also make effective points for it. Additionally, I also
analyse prominent threats and opportunities by contacting with many people according to their
requirements and needs. In relation with this, I also agreed with the SPI report which accurately
identifies my weakness as I have contributed less towards the event due to lack of some skills.
Being an event coordinator, I must carry prominent managerial skills and team working that are
currently absent in me. Furthermore, I also believe that Belbin SPI report does not prominently
estimate my some roles considering complete finisher. As in the overall event, I have performed
my roles in more effective way and also complete my task on time before the stipulated deadline.
Moreover, I also conduct environmental analysis to identify all the prominent opportunities that
are available for the event and hotel as well to achieve the competitive advantage within the
market.
Critical and evaluative reflection of your perceived group/team dynamics while executing the
small group/team project-orientated task
For this, suitable themes are useful in the development of team and determining their
prominent dynamics on the grounds of innovation and unique ideas that helps in developing and
running a team without more confusion and complexity. Few themes are discussed as
underneath:
Understanding teams and their success: A team and group is a collection of people with
common aims and objectives. For this, their theory include various approaches that depends on
the different features considering the important part of team such as collection of people, group
and team. Moreover, this part is going to describe the features and characteristics of group such
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as existence and their reason and purpose which is shared among the group members, their
relationship that connects the one and another, interdependency of group, considered
communication for the interaction of group and also recognise their membership that tends to
increase participation and inspiration among group members. I as a responsible member of
group, it becomes by duty to develop social identification and representation among group
members which is useful in influencing the membership of group which results in developing
interaction among other associates. For me, team is a special kind of group that exist and
concerning with the differences among groups and teams. As while developing team, it is
important to determine the behaviour and objectives of team which is useful in developing an
effective team with the help of common goals and objectives regarding the project and for all this
responsible person is accountable. In relation with this, suitable theories are opted for the
development and enhancement of team at workplace and while developing a team, my major
focus relies on the teamwork and also enhances the cooperate goals to attain common targets.
For this, team should be empowered and must have proper authority that act according to it.
Moreover, while developing a team it is important to divide team in various types such as
production, service, management, project, action and parallel teams as all these roles are
performed by specialised and expertise to attain common goals and objectives.
Professional ethics: These ethics are important to interact with other people in an
effective manner. For this, it is important to determine the suitable behaviour and specific roles.
By considering most of the relationships, behaviour of employees is determined and also
experiences by other individuals. Ethics are useful in avoiding other concerning problems and
issues that arise while develop a team problems that are inevitably exist within an organisation
and project team. I as a responsible associate of team member, it becomes my duty to analyse the
misconduct of employees which include, abusive behaviour, company resource abuse,
discrimination, steeling, inappropriate social networking and many more. I need to determine the
suitable ethics for the success and growth of image of company which is useful in determining
the behaviour of individuals and also helps in guiding and directing them regarding the
development of employees. In respect of this, professional ethics plays an important role in the
production and on time work for company and also comes on the management of leaders as if
employees are not working in ethical manner then it leads to decreases the productivity and
effectiveness of working practices of company as the performance of employees based on the
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guidance and supervision of leader or any other responsible person. In relation with this, it is
described that in a team, one member should be responsible for the ethical behaviour and
discipline of employees who work in an organisation and also describe the suitable practices that
rules the company in terms of their performance and productivity. In addition to this, I need to
perform in more responsible manner to develop and enhance the ethical values in more
responsible manner that is useful for organisation, employees, society and nation as well. As
professional ethics demonstrate the professional qualification and present standards that are
available in environment and also include high standards of professional practices, knowledge
and competencies to check the professionalism in sustainable management.
Decision making: It is a factor which influences the development of decision that is
useful in developing advantages and disadvantages for team and their team members as it is
depends on the situation and decisions of group which impacts the individual decisions.
Moreover, by considering my team it has benefits and drawback both as it is advantageous in
gaining the process and offer more resources in order to solve relatable problems and group
members combine their knowledge in group discussion. They also likely to identify and reject
the incorrect solutions to made their group better and do not repeat mistakes to combine various
skills and knowledge. Additionally, group discussion is useful in enhancing motivation effects on
the working conditions of employees and also combines the various skills and knowledge to
reach high quality decisions. Meanwhile, it has some disadvantages like lack in procedure as it
make production process less effective and efficient to make decisions in quick manner and also
suffers from loss and for this, it require proper coordination and cooperation to deal with social
relation problems. While taking a prominent decision, communication plays an important role to
make things clear and improper communication leads to waste time and also damage the morale
of group. By considering my leadership, it describes that decision making is useful by engaging
employees in decision making process as it is for the betterment and enhancement of employees
as it tends to make employees more productive and responsible in order to make them capable
enough to deal with appropriate changes and by involving them in decision making process helps
in getting new and fresh ideas regarding the enhancement and development of employees and
organisation both. As here, my approach is consultative which is useful in the group work as
when the leader has management authority and also responsible for the decision making of group
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because this approach depicts that it divide work in many stages and only one individual is
responsible for one part.
Social conflict: Nowadays, it becomes an important part of human interaction as also
occur conflicts among people in order to interact with group and other organisations and nations.
As without conflict it is not possible to gain solution of arising problem and conflict arises
because of discussion, as social conflicts are of many types such as antecedent which include
differentiation regarding the policy and resource scarcity, affective states which include stress,
tension, hostility and anxiety. Moreover, cognitive state describe perception, reward and
awareness and conflictual behaviour that depicts passive resistance and overt aggression. In
terms of an organisation, social conflicts can arises because of many reasons and influences such
as personal, religious, family, political and workplace. While working in an organisation,
occurring of conflict is basic problem which can be eliminated with the proper implementation
and execution of concerning theories and practices that helps in reducing and eliminating
conflicts. To determine the occurring of conflicts, various theories are used such as classical,
neo-classical and contemporary as social conflict is the manifest of every relation which describe
that it is arise among two or more social entities to come into contact with another individuals in
order to attain the specified objectives. In relation with my conflict skills, I am quite weak in
managing conflicts which become threat for me in order to manage the overall performance of
employees and also arise major problems for meeting the desired goals and objectives as it
impacts the overall performance and productivity of employees. Moreover, it also impacts the
interaction of employees with other people and society which can put negative impact on the
functioning of company.
Problem solving and conflicts: Problem solving is considered as the dilemma and an
undesirable situation without any other solution as it becomes a question mark which cannot be
answered and describe the comparison among the existing situation and group members need to
manage it in an effective manner. By analysing my proficiency, I am weak in managing conflicts
and solving problems of employees because to solve problems effective determination and
analysis is important to describe the changes which is useful in solving problems but for me,
managing problems becomes the major obstacle in order to encounter the performance by
analysing the technical problems, conflict viewpoints and other interpersonal issues. In order to
determine problems, problem solving and conflict management skills are important which is
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useful in managing conflict in an effective manner that describes the proficiency of managing
things in effective manner. Meanwhile, by determining my skills it is examined that I need an
improvement programme in order to enhance and improve my skills which is useful in
improving and guiding things in effective manner.
CONCLUSION
From the preceding discussion it is concluded that management of projects and events is
important as this report covers the development of a new project. For this, academic report is
prepared which covers the Belbin team roles and comparison which is based on SPI and
observations of others for my performance. Moreover, group dynamics is discussed which is
useful in developing effective team with the help of an effective procedure or model and for this
effective five themes are used to develop an effective team.
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REFERENCES
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Brown, R. and Pehrson, S., 2019. Group processes: Dynamics within and between groups. John
Wiley & Sons.
Drury, C. G., 2018, August. Belbin on Inspection: A 50-Year Retrospective. In Congress of the
International Ergonomics Association (pp. 879-887). Springer, Cham.
Flores-Parra, J. M. and et. al., 2018, June. Towards Team Formation Using Belbin Role Types
and a Social Networks Analysis Approach. In 2018 IEEE Technology and Engineering
Management Conference (TEMSCON) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Forsyth, D. R., 2018. Group dynamics. Cengage Learning.
Hoey, J. and et. al., 2018. Artificial intelligence and social simulation: Studying group dynamics
on a massive scale. Small Group Research. 49(6). pp.647-683.
Kreeger, L., 2019. The large group: Dynamics and therapy. Routledge.
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clustering. In Companion Proceedings of the The Web Conference 2018(pp. 1699-
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LI, X. and et. al., 2018. Research on the Building of Reading Promotion Team Based on Belbin
Team Role Theory. Journal of Library and Information Science. (1). p.1.
Quiñones, Y. O., 2018, September. Exploring the Influence of Belbin’s Roles in Software
Measurement: A Controlled Experiment with Students. In Trends and Applications in
Software Engineering: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Software
Process Improvement (CIMPS 2018)(Vol. 865, p. 69). Springer.
Son, J. and Kim, S. B., 2018. Academic paper recommender system using multilevel
simultaneous citation networks. Decision Support Systems. 105. pp.24-33.
Stewart, D. W., 2019. Academic publishing in marketing: best and worst practices. In How to
Get Published in the Best Marketing Journals. Edward Elgar Publishing.
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