CATME Five Teamwork Dimensions

There are five CATME teamwork dimensions that contribute to the effectiveness of teams. The CATME Peer Evaluation describes behaviors typical of various levels of performance in each of the CATME Five Teamwork Dimensions. Raters select the category of behaviors that most closely matches the behavior of each student on their team (including themselves). Students can practice using the system with hypothetical team members in a feature called Rater Practice.

Contributing to the Team’s Work

Contributing to the Team’s Work is defined as helping the team achieve its goals or objectives by completing the assigned tasks. Your behaviors influence the quality and quantity of your contribution to the team. The following is the rating scale in peer evaluation for contributing to the team's work.

For more information, please watch the video on Contributing to the Team’s Work.

RatingDescription of Rating
5
  • Does more or higher-quality work than expected.
  • Makes important contributions that improve the team's work.
  • Helps teammates who are having difficulty completing their work.
4
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
3
  • Completes a fair share of the team's work with acceptable quality.
  • Keeps commitments and completes assignments on time.
  • Helps teammates who are having difficulty when it is easy or important.
2
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
1
  • Does not do a fair share of the team's work. Delivers sloppy or incomplete work.

Interacting with Teammates

Interacting with Teammates is defined as providing positive interactions within the team that contribute to a supportive environment. Talking during a meeting is an important interaction. But it’s important to consider how and when you say things and when you should stop talking and listen to others. The following are some different level behaviors that you may experience during teamwork.

For more information, please watch the video on Interacting with Teammates.

RatingDescription of Rating
5
  • Asks for and shows an interest in teammates' ideas and contributions.
  • Makes sure teammates stay informed and understand each other.
  • Provides encouragement or enthusiasm to the team.
  • Asks teammates for feedback and uses their suggestions to improve.
4
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
3
  • Listens to teammates and respects their contributions.
  • Communicates clearly. Shares information with teammates.
  • Participates fully in team activities.
  • Respects and responds to feedback from teammates.
2
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
1
  • Interrupts, ignores, bosses, or makes fun of teammates.
  • Takes actions that affect teammates without their input. Does not share information.
  • Complains, makes excuses, or does not interact with teammates.
  • Is defensive. Will not accept help or advice from teammates.

Keeping the Team on Track

Keeping a team on track involves efforts to progress toward achieving the team’s goals. The following describes different levels of characteristics that may happen on your team work.

For more information, please watch the video on Keeping the Team on Track.

RatingDescription of Rating
5
  • Watches conditions affecting the team and monitors the team's progress.
  • Make sure that teammates are making appropriate progress.
  • Gives teammates specific, timely, and constructive feedback.
4
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
3
  • Notices changes that influence the team's success.
  • Knows what everyone on the team should be doing and notices problems.
  • Alerts teammates or suggests solutions when the team's success is threatened.
2
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
1
  • Is unaware of whether the team is meeting its goals.
  • Does not pay attention to teammates' progress.
  • Avoids discussing team problems, even when they are obvious.

Expecting Quality

Expecting quality focuses on expressing the beliefs that the team is capable of quality work and encouraging the team to strive for quality. The following are some different level behaviors that you may experience during teamwork.

For more information, please watch the video on Expecting Quality.

RatingDescription of Rating
5
  • Motivates the team to do excellent work.
  • Cares that the team does outstanding work, even if there is no additional reward.
  • Believes that the team can do excellent work.
4
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
3
  • Encourages the team to do good work that meets all requirements.
  • Wants the team to perform well enough to earn all available rewards.
  • Believes that the team can fully meet its responsibilities.
2
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
1
  • Satisfied even if the team does not meet assigned standards.
  • Wants the team to avoid work, even if it hurts the team.
  • Doubts that the team can meet its requirements.

Having Relevant Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge skills and abilities or KSA’s are knowing what you need to know, knowing how to do what you need to do, and having the capabilities you need to do the work of the team. Effective team members need to have or learn the necessary KSA’s for their assigned tasks and should be prepared to perform other roles if needed. The following describes different levels of characteristics that may happen on your team work.

For more information, please watch the video on Having Relevant Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

RatingDescription of Rating
5
  • Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do excellent work.
  • Acquires new knowledge or skills to improve the team's performance.
  • Able to perform the role of any team member if necessary.
4
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
3
  • Demonstrates sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to contribute to the team's work.
  • Acquires knowledge or skills as needed to meet requirements.
  • Able to perform some of the tasks normally done by other team members.
2
  • Demonstrates behaviors described immediately above and below.
1
  • Missing basic qualifications needed to be a member of the team.
  • Unable or unwilling to develop knowledge or skills to contribute to the team.
  • Unable to perform any of the duties of other team members.

CATME Rating Scale

The CATME Rating Scale is a useful handout for instructors and students who need a clear and concise way to view the CATME Five Teamwork Dimensions and the criteria associated with them. In our experience, students have a much harder time differentiating the top-performing team members from average team members. This scale helps to emphasize the criteria that our teamwork model is based on. It excels as a complement to taking a peer evaluation survey and can serve as a quick reminder to students when they are evaluating their peers. 

For more information, see the CATME Rating Scale page. 

 

If the CATME terms make you confused, please check the definition on the CATME Terms Instructor Dictionary page.