You've spent hours working on your group's project. The deadline is tomorrow, and one teammate still hasn't finished their part. Now you're wondering: Should you cover for them, confront them, tell the instructor, or just let them face the consequences?

What would you do?

There is no single "correct" answer. The best response depends on both the situation and what matters most to you.

Let's do a quick self-assessment. Which statement below sounds most like you?

I mainly care about getting a good score. If that means doing some extra work, I'm ok with doing it.

I enjoy true collaboration as I value opportunities to learn from others and exchange ideas. I'm not a big fan of the divide-and-conquer approach.

I want clear instructions and expectations from the instructor so everyone knows what to do and how to hold each other accountable.

I care most about fairness. If others aren't contributing equally, I'd rather work independently.

Your answer reflects what matters most to you in group work. Different students prioritize achievement, collaboration, structure, or fairness, which may explain why people react differently to the same group challenge.

There is no "best" perspective. Understanding your priorities can help you choose a response that feels right for you.

Scenario

Brian and Taylor are frustrated because a teammate has missed several deadlines. Brian says: "I don't like it, but I'd rather finish the project than spend time arguing about it." Taylor says: "It's not fair that some people are doing more work than others."

Before assuming someone is lazy, consider why they may not be contributing. Different causes call for different responses.

Skill Gap

Some group members want to contribute but struggle because they don't understand the assignment, lack confidence, or need additional support or guidance.

Lack of Motivation

Some group members may be prioritizing other responsibilities, don't see the value of the group project, or simply want to do the bare minimum and get a passing score.

Life Circumstances

Sometimes outside factors may affect participation, such as family emergencies or unexpected personal challenges. If this is the case, you may offer empathy and see how you can help.

Communication & Coordination Issues

Sometimes the problem isn't with a particular group member, but with how the group is organized — for example, there are unclear roles and responsibilities, poor communication among group members, or different expectations about workload or quality.

When communication and coordination break down, group members may appear to be slacking even when they're trying to contribute.

Scenario

Tina and her friends are enrolled in the same class, so they're excited to team up for a group project. During group meetings, they spend a lot of time talking and casually agree to split the work evenly, but they don't set clear roles, expectations, or deadlines.

As the deadline approaches, they realize that not much work has been done.

Now that you have a better understanding of yourself and your group member's situation, you can choose a response that best fits the situation and your priorities.

Strategy A: Offer Support

Try checking in with your group member, asking if they need clarification, offering help if you can, or redistributing tasks based on strengths.

This strategy is best when the group member wants to contribute but is struggling.

Strategy B: Manage the Process

Try setting clear expectations within the group, creating intermediate deadlines with buffers, sending reminders, documenting responsibilities and progress. For bigger or long-term projects, you and your group may consider using some project management tools such as Trello or Monday.

This strategy is best when the problem is caused by poor communication and coordination within the group.

Strategy C: Hold Them Accountable

Try addressing the issue directly with your group member if you're comfortable confronting them, using peer evaluations honestly if there are peer evaluations, and involving the instructor when the issue persists despite communication and support attempts.

This strategy is best when the group member repeatedly fails to contribute despite reminders and support.

Strategy D: Step in Temporarily

If the deadline is approaching and you decide that completing part of their work is the most practical way to keep the project moving forward, you may consider picking up some of their slack so that the project can be completed on time without jeopardizing the group's success.

However, use this strategy with caution, as it doesn't resolve the underlying problem and may reinforce the behavior and create resentment.

What if nothing works...?

Even the best strategies don't always work. Sometimes, after repeated attempts to communicate and resolve the issue, the most productive approach is to focus on what you can control and stop relying on the person for critical tasks.

Scenario

Jordan attended the first group meeting but then seemed to disappear. You and your group have reached out several times through email and group messages, but Jordan hasn't responded.

You can't control how much effort other people put into a group project, but you can control how you respond. By approaching the situation thoughtfully, you can protect both your learning and your well-being while navigating one of the most common challenges of collaborative learning.

Remember: Don't suffer in silence. Address the issue early, communicate clearly, and involve the instructor when needed.