Study Action Teams: A Great Idea For Learning Together

Why have a “Study Action Team”?

Every organization and every project team includes several life-long learners who have a thirst to learn and improve.
Projects and departments with even one small Study Action Team find those participants increase their leadership skills and become an engine for continuous improvement.

How to convene and run a STUDY ACTION TEAM (“SAT”)

Start with a handful of trusted people around you.
Invite them to join you in an SAT of 8-10 people in your own office or team.
- Invite. Don’t sell.
- Start with those who show an interest in learning new ways of doing your work better.
Invite them to watch the same short video (or read the same book chapter) and get together weekly for 30-60 minutes to discuss what we’ve learned and how to put it into action today.
- Make it easy and fun – maybe during Wednesday lunch.
Pick a short video or video series to watch and then discuss. (Everyone can watch a 3-9 minute video; even those who are not “readers”.)

Find or be the “champion”

Study Action Teams are easy to organize and tend to self-manage. But they do need a “champion” to facilitate the group’s sessions.
The champion organizes (and later reorganizes) the group, suggests study topics and sends out reminder calendar invitations.
The champion either facilitates discussion or passes the baton to another in the group. Taking turns facilitating is also a learning opportunity, especially for newer staff.

Keep participation voluntary

Let folks enter and leave the group as they need to or want to.
If one or two were too busy to watch this week’s video, play a few minutes at the start of the session. Then let listen to the good ideas of others to motivate them.
An SAT does not have to be a long-term commitment. SATs can form and dissolve and reform and dissolve as time and interest requires.

Work the “ripple effect”

As SAT participants gain value from the actions flowing from group study, encourage them to tell others.
When more show an interest in SAT, help them form their own.

Choose SAT material relevant to continuous improvement