Service Operation Management Reflective Essay

This reflective essay details a student's experience working on a service operation management project. The student discusses the challenges and successes of group work, applying Tuckman's stages of team development (forming, storming, norming, performing) to their experience. They analyze the complexities of team dynamics, including conflict resolution and the importance of communication and positive attitudes. The essay highlights the benefits of teamwork, contrasting individual and group performance, and concludes with suggestions for improving team effectiveness and coordination. References to relevant professional development literature are included.

SERVICE OPERATION MANAGEMENT
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REFLECTIVE ESSAY
I have worked on this project with the help of several group members and I have realized
many things about group work. According to my experience, I can say that group work is
sometimes essential; however most of the time, it creates issues among people and as a result,
they are unable to manage the team work. I was allotted the project in which I had to practice in
service operation management and working on the same assignment has helped me to grab
knowledge on the same area. At the time, I also realized that working with groups and teams
helps in enhancing ability of individuals and at the same time, it also works in encouraging
learning skills of the individual. The project seems to be beneficial for me because I came
through diverse things which are essential for my personal and professional growth aspects. At
the time of getting in the team, all the people behaved differently and we had only little idea
about the work profile. People with different background worked with each other and somewhere
it created many issues as well. While I was working in the team, there are so many individuals
who showed dominating behaviour and because of that I got discouraged as well.
Moving towards, group dynamics it can be said that initially people start communicating
with each other and after reaching to a certain point, they develop bond with each other. This is
the actual starting of teamwork in which people work as per the team goals. In the initial stages I
used to remain confused about the work because I had no interaction with my team members.
However, I used to communicate politely and appropriately with others so that I may not create
any sort of communication gap in the team work. I performed all my duties and responsibilities
in effective manner and for that I kept positive attitude all the time. Initially, due to lack of
understanding people had conflicts and issues with each other; however after a certain period of
time, we all started to comprehend each other so that we can reach towards the team goals and
objectives. One thing I have observed that group work always assist in removing the challenges
and at the same time, it helps in managing all the complex projects and activities. I would also
like to express my experience with the help of Tuckman theory of team development.
Groups are formed in the organization so that the level of interaction can be increased
among the employees. However on the other hand, people initially resist to work in new team
structure because of lack of understanding and also due to inadequate level of interaction. I have
also experienced the same sort of problem while working for the present coursework. Teams are
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formed in our organization for various reasons and according to the purpose, the nature and
objective are different. However, teams and groups are different to each other where in teams are
formed by the management for specified projects and groups are informal in nature which is
based as per employee interaction level. In our organization, the subsequent team has been
formed with the help of Tuckman four stage model. The stages are discussed as follows: Forming: At the initial stage, team members are dependent on directions of leaders
because they do not have any idea regarding their roles and responsibilities. In this stage,
we all were new to each other; thus we did not share much things. Most of us were also
confused regarding the duties to be performed. Storming: Team members at this stage try to come up with their views through
interacting with people. Hence, my entire team also developed suitable interaction with
each other and at this stage, we started conversing with each other. This was the major
phase of our team work as that time, we started communicating with each other. Norming: Roles and responsibilities get cleared at this stage and every individual in the
team tries to match team efficiency level. I supported each and every team member so
that we all can meet the defined objectives of our team. All the team members have
shared equal roles and responsibilities; hence I can say that we have achieved team
dynamics. Performing: Main focus of the team members remains towards goal achievement process
and for that clear vision needs to be framed. This is the stage where we all worked
efficiently for the purpose of meeting team goals and objectives. Articulating my
experience, I can say that I have learned a lot of things while working with the team
members. During team work, we all used to appreciate the performance of each other so
that together we can develop suitable team environment.
Apart from the theoretical work, I also realised that team management is not an easy task
as it requires lots of efficiency and patience. It was too hard to handle different functions at a
time but yes I did the work efficiently. Because people come from different social and cultural
background; therefore they usually do not support each other; however after getting acquainted
with the work process, they start communicating with each other. I would like to state certain
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things based on my experience that there are various ups and downs in the organization. There
are a number of issues in managing a team as a team has number of employees and all have
different thoughts and thinking. I have also observed that due to difference in opinion, sometimes
we got confused to take appropriate decision for our team work. While some of the issues reflect
a very high-end of engineering being tried out for the first time, and hence some teething
troubles could be expected that could be solved by engineering, some other relate to the human
aspects. I was quite disappointed during that period, but now for future terms, I would ensure
that they will not happen again in my entire career.
Group performance is always considered as best as compared to individual performance
and that also enhances the performance and productivity aspects of the team work. When
different people work together, they bring new dimensions in the job profile and as a result, it
generate differentiation in the work practice. I have also observed the same wherein I realized
that group members are highly productive in improving the performance capability. I also came
to realize that maximum number of efforts are given by team members in enhancing the overall
organizational productivity and performance facets. In terms of group performance, I can say
that I have achieved the team success because as a team, we all contributed effectively in
meeting team aims. I had a team member who was less supportive in the entire coursework;
however instead of that, we all maintained appropriate communication with each other. While
working in a team, people need to develop positive attitude so that friendly environment can be
generated in the team. Similarly, I also realized that formal and informal work aspects should be
kept separated so that team requirements can be fulfilled effectively.
Apparently, when people work together, they have conflicts and grievances due to
diverse reasons and while working in the course work, I have observed the same thing. Though
we had team differences; still we managed to resolve the conflicts from own end so that it may
not hamper the entire team environment. I can also say that conflict management system of the
organization is effective because there in leader considers the viewpoints of each and every team
member. Therefore, it is clear that tam dynamics are difficult to comprehend; but on the other
continuum it helps people to maximize their strengths and capabilities. In future also, I would
like to work in team because that helps me to share things easily with others and as a result, it
encourages the opportunities of getting the work done. I can say this is vital aspect for my
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personal and professional career prospects. I have also identified that I need to focus more on
team development so that I can share things suitably with all the team mates.
Hence, from the entire work, it can be said that team work is significant for many
dimensions; however due to difference in opinion sometimes people fail to coordinate with each
other. Thus, in terms of improvement it can be said that each and every team member should
work as per the team objectives so that proper coordination can be maintained. This is also
essential for developing success aspect of the team work. It is also suggested to the team
members to work prominently with each other so that team effectiveness can be encouraged.
Equal efforts are required to be given by each and every team members so that team objectives
can be accomplished respectively.
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