In 1965, Bruce W Tuckman presented these for the first time, the stages-cycle through which teams undergo. The challenges, issues and hard times, which improve relationship, understanding, confidence, engagement and trust over time. Benefits of individual contributing to any organization or a project cannot be comparable to a team of individuals working together leveraging and using knowledge and skills collectively. But,
First, it is important to must know the typical ‘Stages’ and identifying at which stage your team is, so that pitfalls can be avoided;
Forming – Storming – Norming – Performing - Adjourning
Forming:
What Happens
- Exploring Boundaries and Behaviors
- Try to define Tasks, Milestones, Roadmap etc.
- Gather information
- Complain or Vent about Organization, behaviour or success barrier
- Likely are Told, what to do..
- May not be Productive
Feelings
- Excitement, Optimism, Anticipation
- Confuse, Anxious, Suspicious
- Pride for selection as part of team
Storming
What Happens
- Ideas and suggestion are presented, may bring some conflict
- Unrealistic or too high goals
- Questioning - each other, team or project selector, skills, competency etc.
- Withdrawal- to avoid conflict or Anxious (could be dropping from the Idea or even team)
Feelings
- Reluctant, resistant, or sometime frustration over approach & methods
- Attitude fluctuation can be quick
- Arguing, defensive, Competition
If teams know that, this is a normal stage or Team development process then more manageable.
Norming
What Happens
- Team members accepts each other and maintain ground rules and boundaries
- Building trust and confidence, find ways to work out differences
- Constructive criticism, No / Less conflict escalation
- Improved in Listening and resolving Issues
Feelings
- Relief and relaxed
- Goal is achievable
- Laughter and Jokes – can be observed often shows relaxed environment
Performing
What Happens
- Matured Team
- Work together efficiently
- Aware of member’s Strengths and weakness and thus utilize effectively
- Better understanding of interpersonal and group processes
- Constructive self-changes to grow and learn
- Able to avoid conflicts and problems and work though if faced
Feelings
- Satisfaction
- Attachment to team
- Acknowledge and value each other
Adjourning
Reflect
- Final debriefing is Important to reflect what went well as ‘Team’ in ‘Project’ and ‘Process’.
- Lessons Learned
- Challenges
- What worked
- What didn’t worked
- Ideas and Solutions
- Opportunities to apply these in other areas to improve and get benefit.
Celebrate
Do not forget to Celebrate to appreciate that the team did a good work and sometimes it’s on top of their regular duties. This can also provide an opportunity to motivate and interest others for future projects and teams.
