Say it like this
- We formed a working group to address the latency issue.
- The working group will present their findings next quarter.
- I have been assigned to the infrastructure working group.
Use it at work
Starting
- We're forming a working group on API standards.
- Can you join the accessibility working group?
Running it
- The working group meets every two weeks.
- The working group will share a proposal in a month.
Afterward
- The working group's recommendations are in the doc.
- We'll close the working group once the standard is done.
Don't say this
Working group is a noun, not a verb. You form or establish a working group; you do not working group something.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| working group | Group solving a specific topic | Members from several teams | Weeks or months |
| community of practice | Ongoing group sharing knowledge | Volunteers | Long-term |
| tiger team | Small team for urgent problem | Chosen experts | Short-term |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager asks you to help solve a critical bug. What do they most likely say?
2. We need to _______ a working group to plan the infrastructure migration.
3. Which sentence uses 'working group' incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using 'working group': 'We have many people from different teams who need to work together to fix the performance problem.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We formed a working group to address the latency issue."
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More about working group
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"The database working group has identified three potential optimization strategies we should review."
- in an email
"Please join our working group if you have experience with Kubernetes deployments."
- in a planning meeting
"We will establish a working group to investigate the migration path to the new payment system."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not use as a verb (saying 'we will working group this' is incorrect). Also, avoid confusing with a team or department—a working group is typically temporary and task-focused.
- ✕My working group is permanent and handles all security issues.✓My team is permanent and handles all security issues. The working group was temporary and addressed the recent breach.
A working group is temporary by nature. A permanent group is called a team, department, or squad.
- ✕The working group includes only our engineering department.✓The working group includes engineers from frontend, backend, and DevOps teams.
Working groups are cross-functional and pull members from different areas, not from a single department.
Other forms(2)
- working group noun
"The working group will meet on Monday to review the requirements."
- working groups noun
"Multiple working groups have been formed to speed up the project delivery."
Often used with(5)
- form a working group · To create and assemble a new working group for a specific task.
- join a working group · To become a member of an existing working group.
- lead a working group · To chair or manage a working group as its leader.
- working group meeting · A scheduled gathering of all working group members.
- working group charter · The document that defines the working group's goals, scope, and duration.
Similar words(3)
- task force · Similar meaning but often used for more urgent or crisis-driven initiatives.
- cross-functional team · Similar in composition but may be longer-term; working groups are usually temporary.
- committee · Both are groups formed for a specific purpose, but committees often have formal oversight roles.
Opposites(2)
- permanent team
- department
Questions(5)
- What does working group mean in software engineering?
- A working group is a temporary team assembled to accomplish a specific objective or solve a particular problem. Members come from different departments and work together intensively until the goal is achieved, then the group typically dissolves. It is different from a permanent team because it has a defined end date and purpose.
- How do you use working group in a sentence at work?
- Common usage includes: 'We formed a working group to investigate the issue,' 'I joined the working group last week,' 'The working group will present findings on Friday,' or 'She leads the database optimization working group.'
- Is working group formal or informal?
- Working group is neutral in formality. It is used in both formal organizational structures and casual team discussions. You will hear it in meetings, emails, and official project documents equally.
- What is the difference between a working group and a team?
- A team is usually permanent and handles ongoing work, while a working group is temporary and formed for a specific project or problem. A team may belong to one department; a working group is typically cross-functional with members from multiple areas.
- Can a working group become a permanent team?
- Yes, it is possible. If a working group proves successful and the need for its function becomes ongoing, an organization may decide to formalize it into a permanent team or department.
