Assignment 2

The input–process–output model is a framework used to describe the way groups interacts to achieve a common goal. This model can be seen when evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of my high school publication, SYNAPSE.

The specific Inputs any group uses can be separated into personnel, tasks, and technologies used. The personnel of the SYNAPSE staff included section editors, photographers, artists, layout editors, a managing editor, and an editor in chief. All positions were chosen from the school’s higher–level journalism class; therefore, staff members were qualified because they had a strong academic background. Therefore, staff members did not need to be taught what to do; instead, they knew what specific tasks needed to be done to produce the newspaper in the most efficient way possible. Also, the positions were chosen based on how specialized an individual is to a specific field of study. For example, the science section editor was chosen based on his knowledge in the field of science and the same goes for choosing a managing editor, which requires organizational skills. Although there is a lot of diversity among positions, a common language of journalism exists between members of the group; thereby, making communication diverse but effective. In addition, communication was easy among group members because they were able to meet for the first fifteen to thirty minutes of every class. However, proximity although important could not be achieved when deadlines need to be met and pages weren’t completed. Therefore, technology played an important role. Technology was used to communicate the specific phase of production pages were in. There was electronic white board that staff members could use to see a mock up of the newspaper and the specific phases sections were in. It was updated constantly so any staff member can view what pages were still in the gathering of articles phase or the layout and design phase. Email was also used to communicate between staff members but not often.

The staff members not only produced a newspaper as an output; instead, they provided group maintenance through the high level of interdependency needed and minimal conflict occurred. It was rare that staff members would have conflict because their tasks were not forced upon them. Also, they had the educational background to accurately judge what tasks they could not do themselves and what tasks they needed help to achieve. For example, the science editor couldn’t take his own photos; instead, he needed the help of staff photographers to do so. This strategic interactive process shows the process portion of the framework.