Applying Tuckman’s stages of group development with your team

What are Tuckman’s stages of group development?

Psychologist Bruce Tuckman created his model of group development in 1965. Originally, there were four stages of group development—forming, storming, norming, and performing. Later, a fifth development stage was added: adjourning. Each of these stages describes how a team will work together.

Why are Tuckman’s stages of group development important?

It’s important for managers and team leaders to understand Tuckman’s stages of group development so that they can get an idea of what to expect when working with a group. Understanding group development can help leaders and managers move the group toward success and solve problems that the group may face.

What is the forming stage of group development?

The forming stage of group development is the first stage of Tuckman’s model of team development. In this stage, team members may feel uncertain about how they will participate in the team. Team members will also seek a leader of the group.

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For a successful forming stage, leaders should present goals and project information to the group. Leaders should also assign roles to team members. This is a great time for an introductory meeting to acquaint the group with their team members.

What is the storming stage of group development?

The storming stage of group development is the second stage of Tuckman’s model. In the storming stage, teams may face conflict within the group as team members share their thoughts and opinions. Teammates may also argue over team goals, creating tension within the team.

To prepare for this stage of group development, leaders should create a plan to mitigate conflict and ensure that duties are carried out by team members. Leaders should also find a way to mediate differences among teammates in order to move the project forward. Teams that don’t work through conflicts can become stuck in the storming stage, delaying the project even further.

What is the norming stage of group development?

In the norming stage of group development, teams start to learn how to work together and resolve conflicts. Communication improves among teammates and productivity improves. Group members begin to feel accepted by teammates and feel a sense of belonging. In this stage, the team can start to assess pain points and make improvements to workflows.

What is the performing stage of group development?

In the performing stage of group development, the team is organized and collaborates well. Team structure becomes clear in the performing stage. The group gets closer to meeting their goals. Since the group now has improved communication, they can continue to solve any issues that arise.

What is the adjourning stage of group development?

This is the final stage of Tuckman’s group development model. In this phase, the team has completed their project, met their goals, and is ready to celebrate. The group reflects on what went smoothly and what parts of their project could have been better. Team leaders should send out a group survey to get the team’s opinions.

Understanding Tuckman’s stages of group development can help teams run more smoothly. If you’re interested in improving your organizational skills and becoming a better leader, learn about the eight traits of effective delegators.