Paul and Maureen, two graduates at University, produce customized personal computer systems at night. They put together generic personal computers, which have various special features for students, and local businesses. They have recently received their biggest order to date from the EM department for 36 customized personal computers. Paul and Maureen assembled the first unit as a trial and found that it took them 18 hours of direct labor.

To determine if they can fill the order in the time allotted, they want to apply the learning curve effect to determine how much time the 9th, 18th, and 36th units will require to assemble. Based on past experience, they believe their learning curve is 80%

In making progress towards a shared goal, the one that would most likely hinder the team’s efforts in ensuring that the goal is achieved would definitely be (A) “Sorry, I was late. I hope I didn’t miss too much.”

This is because the individual who arrives late would be missing a part of the discussion, which means that other team members need to update the late individual about the information that he or she missed by not arriving on time. This means the discussion is not as effective as it could have been.

(B) and (C) are actually good team member behavior since it moves the group discussion along, since the individual already has some solutions or ideas in mind to achieve the goal. Though this is not the case for (D), at the very least, the individual has read the relevant information pertaining to the goal that needs to be achieved.