Question

When considering the different phases in group development (forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning), what are some typical situations that may occur in each phase?

Answer 1

• The situtations that may occur during each phase of the group development can be explained through a case example;
• 1.The "forming" stage takes place when the team first meets each other. In this first meeting, team members are introduced to each. They share information about their backgrounds, interests and experience and form first impressions of each other.
• They learn about the project they will be working on, discuss the project's objectives/goals and start to think about what role they will play on the project team. They are not yet working on the project.
• 2.As the team begins to work together, they move into the "storming" stage. This stage is not avoidable; every team - most especially a new team who has never worked together before - goes through this part of developing as a team. In this stage, the team members compete with each other for status and for acceptance of their ideas.
• They have different opinions on what should be done and how it should be done - which causes conflict within the team.
• As they go progress through this stage, with the guidance of the team leader, they learn how to solve problems together, function both independently and together as a team, and settle into roles and responsibilities on the team. For team members who do not like conflict, this is a difficult stage to go through.
• Some teams, however, do not move beyond this stage and the entire project is spent in conflict and low morale and motivation, making it difficult to get the project completed. Usually teams comprised of members who are professionally immature will have a difficult time getting past this stage.
  
• 3.When the team moves into the "norming" stage, they are beginning to work more effectively as a team. They are no longer focused on their individual goals, but rather are focused on developing a way of working together (processes and procedures). They respect each other's opinions and value their differences.
• Working together as a team seems more natural. In this stage, the team has agreed on their team rules for working together, how they will share information and resolve team conflict, and what tools and processes they will use to get the job done.
• The team members begin to trust each other and actively seek each other out for assistance and input. Rather than compete against each other, they are now helping each other to work toward a common goal.
• The team members also start to make significant progress on the project as they begin working together more effectively.
• 4.In the "performing" stage, teams are functioning at a very high level. The focus is on reaching the goal as a group. The team members have gotten to know each other, trust each other and rely on each other.
• Not every team makes it to this level of team growth; some teams stop at Stage 3: Norming. The highly performing team functions without oversight and the members have become interdependent.
• The team is highly motivated to get the job done. They can make decisions and problem solve quickly and effectively. When they disagree, the team members can work through it and come to consensus without interrupting the project's progress.
• If there needs to be a change in team processes - the team will come to agreement on changing processes on their own without reliance on the team leader.
• Even in this stage, there is a possibility that the team may revert back to another stage. For example, it is possible for the team to revert back to the "storming" stage if one of the members starts working independently.
• Or, the team could revert back to the "forming" stage if a new member joins the team. If there are significant changes that throw a wrench into the works, it is possible for the team to revert back to an earlier stage until they are able to manage through the change.
• 5.In the "adjourning" stage the project is coming to an end and the team members are moving off into different directions. This stage looks at the team from the perspective of the well-being of the team rather than from the perspective of managing a team through the original four stages of team growth.
• It is likely that any group that reached Stage 4: Performing will keep in touch with each other as they have become a very close knit group and there will be sadness at separating and moving on to other projects independently.
  
• EXAMPLE:-
• The Initial Meeting (Stage 1: Forming)-The day of the face-to-face meeting in New York has arrived. All team members are present. The agenda includes:
• Personal introductions
• Team building exercises
• Information about the process improvement project
• Discussion around team roles and responsibilities
• Discussion around team norms for working together
• Introduction on how to use the SharePoint site that will be used for this project to share ideas, brainstorm, store project documentation, etc
• The onsite meeting is going well. The team members are getting to know each other and have been discussing their personal lives outside of work - hobbies, family, etc.
• The Project Work Begins (Stage 2: Storming)-The team members have gone back to their home offices and are beginning work on their project. They are interacting via the SharePoint site and the project is off to a good start.
• And then the arguments begin.Conflict and difference in opinions among the group members are typical situations that arise during stage,which forms the crux of this phase.
• The issues related to the leadership, responsibility, strategies, rules, authority, evaluation, reward system, etc. arises at the storming stage.
• All is Going Smoothly (Stage 3: Norming)-The team has now been working together for nearly 3 months. There is definitely a sense of teamwork among the group. There are few arguments and disagreements that can't be resolved among the team.
• They support each other on the project - problem solving issues, making decisions as a team, sharing information and ensuring that the ground rules put in place for the team are followed.Additionally, the team members are helping each other to grow and develop their skills.
• Significant Progress is Made! (Stage 4: Performing)-The team is now considered a "high performing team." They can brainstorm effectively to solve problems and are highly motivated to reach the end goal as a group.
• When there is conflict on the team - such as a disagreement on how to go about accomplishing a task - the group is able to work it out on their own without relying on the team leader to intervene and make decisions for them
• Time to Wrap Up (Stage 5: Adjourning)-The project has ended. It was a huge success! The internal customer is pleased and there is definitely an improvement in how the company supports its clients.Team members move to different projects but also meet up with each other to celebrate the success one last time.