Dear Sparty, now that school is ending soon, I find myself getting a lot of final group projects. This would be fine but the people I’m assigned to be with don’t care about my opinions and it doesn’t seem like we will be able to collaborate. How do I make sure that this process isn’t a complete disaster and I don’t come off as a control freak.

— Worried

Dear Worried,

I completely understand where you’re coming from. Group projects can be a stressful thing, especially if you don’t know what the other people are like or if they seem dismissive of your ideas. Even if at the end of the project you guys don’t end up being friends, acquaintances or even on a talking basis, it’s ok. As a perfectionist, I have also felt obligated to make every part of a group experience as smooth as possible. If the other people in the group aren’t putting in as much effort as you are, don’t feel like you must overcompensate. Sometimes groups are imperfect, and at the least, it’s a good learning experience.

Nonetheless, here are a few methods you could use to minimize conflict when working in an assigned group.

Clear up confusion:

Make sure everyone knows what needs to be done. A lot of conflict springs up in groups when people aren’t clear about what they are contributing. However, instead of telling people what role they should take, collaborate and create options. This presents you as assertive but also not too controlling (you don’t want to be labeled a ‘control freak’ – that will not help anything).

Set up communication:

Communication is a vital part of making sure things go relatively to plan. The forms of communication used can vary based on the extent of the project. For instance, a 2-day project might only require verbal communication, while a 2-weeklong project might require a group chat. While you can’t be completely assured that everyone will respond to questions over email or text, it almost always results in a positive outcome.

Create a schedule:

Lastly, create a formal schedule or some sort of way to keep track of what needs to be done, allowing each group member to see the big picture and small tasks needed. These schedules can be sent out through texts or emails; be sure to confer that the list is attainable.