Question

The Tuckman model is comprised of five stages of team development.  When many teams are first formed, the teams begin at the lowest level of the model and they progress through the five levels. Describe each level in detail. (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning).

Answer 1

In psychologist Tuckman formed a model in 1965 which defined that teams go through 5 stages of development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. The stages begin from the time that a group first meets until the project ends.

Stage1 Forming-

In this stage team is assembled and the task is allocated to team members. It involves a period of orientation and getting acquainted. Uncertainty is high and people are looking for leadership and authority. Team members tend to behave independently and although goodwill may exist, they do not know each other well enough to trust one another.

Stage2 Storming-

The team begins to address the task suggesting ideas at this stage. If this stage is badly managed then it can be very destructive for the team. It is a stage of rise in conflict and competition between team members as individual personalities emerge. At this phase relationships between team members will be made or broken and some may never recover. It is essential that a team has strong facilitative leadership at this stage.

Stage3 Norming-

This tends to be a move towards harmonious working practices with teams agreeing on the rules and values on which they will operate. In the norming stage, consensus develops around whom the leader is, and individual member’s roles. At this stage teams begin to trust themselves as they accept the vital contribution of each member to the team. At this stage team leaders can take a step back from the team as individual members take greater responsibility. The risk at this phase is that the team becomes complacent and loses either their creative edge or the drive that brought them to this stage. Team performance increases during this stage as team members learn to cooperate with each-other and begin to focus on team goals, rather than individual goals.

Stage4 Performing-

This phase is essentially an era of high performance. Performing teams are recognized by high levels of independence, motivation, knowledge, and competence. Decision making is collaborative approach at this stage and dissent is expected and encouraged as there will be a high level of respect and trust in the communication between team members. Consensus and cooperation have been well-established and the team is mature, organized, and well-functioning, at this stage. There is a clear and stable structure, and members are committed to the team’s goals.

Stage5 Adjourning-

This is the last stage and also called the breakup of team. At adjourning stage most of the team’s goals have been accomplished or near accomplishment. The emphasis is on wrapping up final tasks and documenting the efforts and results. There may be regret as the team ends, so a celebration or ceremonial acknowledgement of the work and success of the team can be great to make them feel better.

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