Blog for group work 2 – Design Document

For this second piece of group work we had to create the first draft of a design document that would be used for an upcoming (and completely fictional) game. We would do this in a group of 5 with each member of the group working on a different section (i.e. one person creating early character designs, one person working on early level designs, one person working on the game mechanics etc).
We started by having several group meetings brainstorming and working with each other to create an idea for a game. With several floating around we ended up combining several elements from a group of ideas to create an overall idea. This idea would be ‘Legend Ball’, a sports game with an emphasis on action.
We continued to have additional meetings as a group to flesh out the games ideas, help each other with any problems we may have had and just to critique. I believe that this extra interaction with each other helped us build a strong design document.


While doing this assignment there were some minor issues with some members of the group, whether it was because of prior engagements or just overall laziness. But these only occurred occasionally and did not upset everyone too much or interfere with the rest of the group working together.
Spending more time together helped the group write a more coherent report; the time spent together helped us all focus on the same point instead of five individual takes on the subject. The group nearly always tried their hardest to meet up with me and another member never missing one meeting.
One stand out target we managed to achieve from the last time we had to set targets was research, we took out books, read articles and websites with no member of the group falling short with each being given a set amount needed (if they were doing a section that would require a little research)


SMART Targets
1) Time management is always needed so we can plan out the assignment and not be on a rush on the final day. This is still will always be a target so then people don’t fall back into bad habits.
2) Motivating the team more so that everyone is enjoying their selves but also that it doesn’t sound too pushy.
3) Could always meet up more, but some members commitments could always change this.
4) Devote more spare time to work, there is always more to do.


With this assignment I believe that my group improved tenfold on pretty much all fronts. Whether it was meeting up more, getting the work together on a set date or just working together as a group I believe we smashed the targets that I set last time.