Here's the checklist of questions I want answered in order to work most effectively with a group:

1. Who is the leader?
2. What's the best way to approach the group?
3. What are the group's motivators?
4. What does the group need?
5. How (and how fast) does the group respond?
6. How willing is the group to work with other teams?
7. How willing is the group to take responsibility for actions, tasks, and results?
8. When to escalate?
9. What is the best way to remind the group when they owe me something?
10. Who is important to have in what kind of meetings?
11. What kind of documentation is needed?

Want the details? Take a look in my Program Management blog.