Regrouping the categorization of group work: A goals and process (GAP) matrix for groups

The four group work categories developed by the Association for Specialists in Group Work have been useful in organizing interventions and establishing training standards. The categories are problematic, however, in that the goal and process dimensions of group work are combined within each category. Rigid fusion of goal and process makes it difficult to categorize the many groups that pursue goals from one category through a process associated with another. A new model for the classification of group work is proposed, which separates goals and process dimensions, forming a matrix that allows for more accurate categorization of group types.