It is important to discuss expectations and agree on the frames of the teamwork. Therefore, the team should discuss and agree upon a group contract that sets the ground rules for the team. The contract is made at the initiation of the teamwork.

The group contract is a functional agreement regarding the ground rules for the team and which allows the team to discuss their wishes, expectations and ambition for the team. Furthermore, the group contract is a common reference point that the team can use whenever they experience bumps on their way, conflicts or disagreements. The group contract is also an appropriate reflection tool when evaluating the teamwork

Provide the team with helping questions and the template in Appendix 1. The team may add further bullets if needed.

The helping questions are: What is a good team? How important are theoretical skills for you? How important is social life to you? How much time would you put into your homework? What is the best thing about working in teams? When do you find teamwork difficult? What are you planning to do if your team members do not keep their agreements? What do you look forward to in working with the project?

Through the discussions, the team will get to know each other’s expectations, wis-
hes and ambitions. If they agree on these, they may be integrated into the group

contract.