5 Stage of Teaming

In 1938, Dr. Bruce Tuckman, a renowned psychologist introduced the 4-stage team developmental model that is now known very well. Less common to most, Dr. Tuckman has added a fifth stage to the model in 1965 which is the “adjourning” stage. Let’s walk through the 5 stages.

Forming

• Forming is the initial stage for all team formation
• Members are curious about each other
• Communication is generally superficial and courteous

Important Steps Take In the Forming Stage

• Team should know each other , below question can be asked when Team member meet each other
  • What am I good at?
  • How do I work?
  • What do I value? 
• Setup some Initial Ground Rules, Expectation , Way of Working

Storming

• More likely to see team conflict.
• Team members will start to solidify their role in the team, and you may see competition between them.
• Creative disagreement are good if it will make the crew stronger but it should not reach to the level that it start affecting the Project performance.
• If Team members roles and responsibilities are not clear it will lead to Solid Storming.

Important Steps Take In the Storming Stage

• Be aware of conflicts and issues, don’t assume that issues will be resolved by themselves.
• Leaders should coach and collaborate with their teams, so that middle ground may be identified in conflict situations.
• It is important to set forth a clear process during the Forming Phase itself.
• Process that are set up can be followed during the Storming Phase in the event that any decisions need to be made or conflicts need to be resolved.
• In case if any Team member is unclear on his roles and responsibilities make sure that his roles and responsibilities are communicated to him based on the Ground Rules that were setup during Forming Stage.
• Make sure the expectation and output of each team members aligned with Project Expectation and Output.

Norming

• Team start working together.
• Roles and responsibilities are in place
• When conflicts do occur, they are resolved relatively quickly and smoothly.

Important Steps Take In the Norming Stage

• Create more improved process based on the lesson learnt from Forming and Storming process.
• Ensure Team understand each other roles and also build accountability for the role that they are playing.
• A leader should facilitate and enable the members to act at this stage.

Performing

• This is where high-performing teams live.
•  Can resolve conflict quickly and easily, and they are flexible and adaptable, working with a high-degree of trust

Important Steps Take In the Preforming Stage

• Celebrate the success of the Team.
• Reward the Team once each milestone is achieved.
• Ensure that new Leaders are groomed.

Adjourning

• When you have team members leaving your team.
•  Usually, the required tasks have been completed and the purpose has been achieved.
•  Members can now move on to new tasks or another team.