Purpose: There are a number of factors that are essential to understanding the pedagogy, learning and knowledge requirements of developing virtual platforms for delivering effective course interaction using the World Wide Web (the web). The purpose of this paper is to focus on web-based group work amongst undergraduate management students, during a two-year study investigating the development of virtual groups as an important problem-solving and learning-enhancement process. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on the identification of successful groups undertaking undergraduate management courses, where group work is a compulsory component of the course assessment. Focus groups are used to collect a broad qualitative understanding of perceptions of students in relation to success factors. Lexical analysis is then used to analyse data. Findings: Lexical analysis provides four clear clusters that the subjects consider are essential to group learning and performance. The outcomes of the findings link directly back to the design of learning activities and the future direction of the research. Originality/value: Value is created as it advances use of the web from one of information dissemination to one of engagement and learning enhancement. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)