Week 6:3 Poole's Multiple-Sequence Model

In Chapter 7 we learn about group communication. In studying how groups communicate and develop experts try to map the life of groups through phase models. In my personal experience of working in groups in many different types of classes and under different circumstances, I feel that researchers Marshall Scott Poole and Jonelle Roth are right in the fact the life of groups are messier than Fisher's model. In Poole's multiple-sequence model the phases of group development are divided into task, topic, and relation tracks which all occur simultaneously. Whether a group is formed to work on a research project for a science class or an art group to work on a huge mural project, identifying the task at hand is essentially going to lead to varying development of group duties. Groups which have multiple tasks to accomplish must approach their problem solving differently than groups with only one job or duty. Groups must be capable of developing on different tracks. Multitasking occurs when working in groups. It is only natural with multiple people working together for one goal, though tasks are divided they are also being dealt with simultaneously as members of the group are interacting and relaying information and ideas.