The Functional Approach focuses, as you know, on the general theory that while all working groups and organizations are unique, each evolving its own distinctive group personality, yet all of them share in common a set of three overlapping and interacting areas of need:
the need to achieve the common task;
the need to be held together as a working unit (or team);
the needs that individuals bring with them into the group, by virtue of being human beings.
In order that the three areas of need should be met, or as it were satisfied, certain functions need to be performed. A function, as we have said, is roughly what you do as contrasted with what you are or what you know. In the context of a small working group, for example, here are the key functions:
Planning
seeking all available relevant information;
defining the group task, goal or objective;
making a workable plan (in the right decision-making framework).
Initiating
briefing group on aim/objectives and plan;
explaining why as well as what, how, when, where and who;
allocating subtasks and setting performance standards.
Controlling
ensuring that all actions contribute to objectives;
influencing tempo;
maintaining group standards.
Supporting
expressing acceptance of persons and their contributions;
developing the potential of individual team members;
encouraging group/individuals;
disciplining group/individuals;
creating team spirit;
relieving tension with humour;
reconciling disagreements or getting others to explore them.
Informing
clarifying task and plan;
giving new information to the group, keeping them ‘in the picture’;
receiving information from the group;
summarizing discussion coherently.
Evaluating
checking feasibility of an idea;
testing the consequences of a proposed solution;
evaluating team performance;
helping group/individual to evaluate own performance against standards.