Evaluation may be a powerful internal force that affects group productivity. We should recognize that evaluation is ever present in groups. In some more or less systematic fashion, consciously or subconsciously, each of us is evaluating our role, status, contribution, or feelings toward the group. We evaluate other group members in the same fashion. We evaluate how well our interests or needs are being met by this group. We evaluate other groups about us. By the same token our group is being evaluated by other groups. Evaluation then is a force that is always present in a group.
The main point to be made in relation to this force is that systematic, rational evaluation has great potential in leading group members and the group to greater productivity. Members participate the most in group activities when they understand the goals and objectives of the group and evaluate the group as making satisfactory progress toward these goals. The more satisfied members are with the progress of the group toward its goals, the more they participate. Those who evaluate the group and its progress and are satisfied with that progress, identify better with the group.
Leaders who make greater use of the various procedures for evaluating their work and the work of the group are more often rated as the most effective. It is even more important in terms of group productivity and morale to know exactly how well the group or individual is doing even when the evaluation is not high. It seems more important to know where you are in terms of progress than to have a hazy idea of where you might be.
It would seem highly desirable for groups to set up some formal mechanism that enables them to evaluate periodically group process as well as group progress. This enables the group to direct its energies to the specific task at hand, not go off on tangents; to make rational decisions about changes in group goals or process. It affords the possibility of lasting member satisfactions. Specific techniques will be suggested later.
What About Your Group?
- Does the group take time to adequately evaluate progress toward action or content goals?
- Does the group adequately evaluate group process?
- Are many group members involved in the evaluation process?
- Is the group objective about its functioning?
- Does the group make rational decisions regarding its functioning and does it implement changes suggested?
- Does the group evaluate accomplishments as well as disappointments?
- Is evaluation periodic, or is it continuous?
- Are the results of evaluation available to all members?
Every group has an actual or a potential dynamic state from which will arise the processes and the productivity of the group. Many of the forces which go to establish this dynamism do provide a further step in the development of information which may be applied to all groups – both to encourage their progress and to further their ends.