<moan>As part of my degree I had to participate in a 'group project' - 5 people working together to produce a 3,500 word essay.
One person didn't respond to emails, so we still have no idea who he is.
Two have always got 'other things to do' - unless it's the day before the deadline. and the remaining two do all the work, because they don't want to risk leaving it till the last day.</moan>

<surprise>Yet ours was one of the most successful groups.</surprise>

Technically the other two would come under the 'free-rider' category (economics has a name for everything), but equally it refers to different people's preferences.

Yet how can account be taken of people's 'preferences' when groups are selected? If we could, we would in theory have perfect teams. Until they argue that is.

Is there any way that a standard could be introduced, which summarises peope's marginal propensity to meet deadlines? If we measure people's height, weight, intelligence, then we psycho-analyse them to see if they'd fit in with the team... why not measure how they work, then build teams that work similarly? It would reduce working stress, and even improve the working environment. Plus of course the inventor would become famous and fabulously rich.

Maybe not.