SM: What’s the best way to deal with problems among teammates? Should students keep problems within the group, or is there a time when a student should approach the professor or T.A. with the issue?
Kousser: I think it is always fine to talk with a professor or T.A. to get their advice about how to deal with group issues and to keep them in the loop about problems, but don’t look to them to resolve things for you. Part of the educational value of a group project is working these things out on your own, so you should view your professor like a coach in this game, not a referee.

SM: Group projects can often be difficult when a team is made up of ambitious people with different ideas. What are some good ways to get everyone to work cohesively?
Kousser: One of the great-yet-challenging things about college is that it is full of shepherds rather than sheep, so you need to set some ground rules to figure out which way your flock will go. Since there are bound to be disagreements about the direction that the project should take as it moves along, you need to start out by deciding how those problems will be resolved: by consensus, by a unanimous vote, by giving each team member absolute authority over one portion of the project, etc. If you can agree about how to disagree before the fighting starts, this will give you a way to work through contentious issues.