By Experts in teamwork, NTNU
To establish shared ground rules for teamwork, improving the quality of interdisciplinary collaboration in a 7,5 ECTS master’s course EiT (Experts in Teamwork). The cooperation agreement serves as a guide for how the team wants to work together and can be used later in case of conflict or mediation.
- Duration:
2 hours
- Focus:
Course day 1 or 2
- Activity:
Group
- Keywords:
Teamwork, Conflicts, Expectations, Communication
Purpose
For a team to function effectively, it should have certain ground rules for its cooperation. How does the team want to work together?
Our student surveys show that active use of the cooperation agreement helps to raise the quality of the interdisciplinary teamwork in EiT.
It should be possible to use the cooperation agreement (sometimes referred to as the team charter) if the team ends up in a conflict where a mediation meeting is needed. Read more in the course’s formal framework, available on the EiT website.
Learning objectives
Identify personal expectations and past experiences to understand individual needs and concerns in team collaboration.
Develop shared ground rules for effective teamwork through structured dialogue and negotiation.
Practice constructive communication and listening skills to reach mutual understanding and consensus within the team.
Create a specific and actionable cooperation agreement that can guide the team and serve as a reference in conflict situations.
Understand the formal framework of EiT and how cooperation agreements support interdisciplinary teamwork and conflict mediation.
Preparation
Print a copy of the document “Cooperation Agreement” for each student and for yourself when you lead the exercise (this document is made available digitally before the start-up of the villages). Read the document and the points on this page and the next page, so that you are prepared for the exercise and for questions from the team. The students should have sheets of paper and/or a PC to write the cooperation agreement.
The exercise has previously been used in MBA courses within Board Work and Board Management, with students from different backgrounds and disciplines.
Digital version: You can do this exercise digitally, using breakout rooms. However, this might require more attention to include all students in the discussion.
Implementation
1. Students sit in their respective teams. Ask them to use the questions below as their starting point and to write individually (about five minutes).
• What do you expect from this cooperation?
• Based on previous experience, positive and negative, what is important for you when you work together with others?
2. Ask the students to conduct a round in the team where they share their expectations and experiences (15 minutes).
3. Hand out the “Cooperation Agreement” document and ask the students to read this. The village supervisor should describe the formal framework in EiT if this has not already been done. This can make it easier for the students to decide which points must be included in the agreement (about 10 minutes).
4. Ask the students to discuss aspects of their teamwork described in the “Cooperation Agreement” document. It will be useful for them to make notes along the way (about 45 minutes).
5. Ask each team to use the dialogue they have had as their starting point and to draw up a cooperation agreement. The points must be specific (about 35 minutes).
6. Finally, the cooperation agreement must be signed and made available to the facilitator team. The village supervisor is responsible for approving the agreement.
Tip
Remind the students that the points in the cooperation agreement should be specific, so that they can be used in a potential conflict situation. Also explain that a session is scheduled later in the village period, when they will have an opportunity to work on a revision of the agreement. The team must write down what they have agreed on, and the points must be specific.
Key takeaways
Shared understanding strengthens teamwork – Discussing expectations early helps prevent misunderstandings later.
Specific agreements matter – Clear, detailed rules make it easier to handle challenges and conflicts.
Dialogue builds trust – Open conversations about work styles, responsibilities, and communication foster a stronger team dynamic.
The agreement is a living document – It can and should be revised as the team evolves over time.
Conflict preparedness – Having a cooperation agreement in place provides a useful tool if issues arise during the project.