Stages of Team Development
Most groups change over time, some get worse, while others improve. Researchers have identified various models of group development. The best known model that describes the stages that a team goes through is the Group Life Cycle model developed by Bruce Tuckman. These five stages have been labelled forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. Some groups move through all of the stages described, while other groups shift between two or three stages for some time.
Forming - characterised by a great deal of uncertainty about the group’s purpose, structure and leadership. Members ‘test the waters’ to determine what types of behaviour are acceptable. This stage is complete when members begin to think of themselves as part of a group.
Storming - is a time of conflict between the group members, who accept the existence of the group but they resist the control the group imposes on them individuality. There is sometimes conflict over who will control the group. When this stage is complete, there is a relatively clear hierarchy of leadership within the group.
Norming - is when close relationships develop and the group demonstrates cohesiveness. There is now a strong sense of group identity and ‘mateship’. This norming stage is complete when the group structure solidifies and the group has taken on a common set of expectations and norms of what defines correct member behaviour.
Performing - the team relationships and structures are set and accepted and team energy has moved from getting to know and understand each other, to performing the task at hand. While the urgency of the task can accelerate the pace of outcomes, other factors such as cohesion, conflict management, balance between relationship and task needs, effective communication, and involvement are required for well-developed groups.
Adjourning - if the team is a project team, characterised by a clearly defined scope and schedule including the completion of its work—the team evaluates its performance, compares actual with planned deliverables and captures and records lessons learned for the benefit of future projects.
Levels of Development and Performance Curve
PRETEND TEAM: some ‘teams’ do not function at all as a team and are not working on moving forward to develop themselves as a team.
POTENTIAL TEAM: in the storming or norming stages of development.
ORDINARY TEAM: in the norming or performing stages of development.
HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAM: Teams that demonstrate high performance, but not necessarily working towards the greater good.
INTEGRAL TEAM: When a team is caring for its individuals, its environment, and its customers.
What stage and level of development is your team at right now?