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Five Stages of Group Development

In: Business and Management

Submitted By sreeste
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One cannot expect a new team to perform well when it first comes together. As with many things, the progress of a group isn’t always neat and tidy. Sometimes groups will revert to an earlier stage if there’s a major change such as a group member leaves or another is added, or for various other reasons. Groups tend to develop in stages. As you work with a support group, or with almost any group of people who are working together toward a common cause, you'll be able to see the progression. Many theories have been developed to explain the process of group development. One of them is the five-stage model of group development which is the basis for subsequent models.

The five-stage model of group development

The five stage group development model characterizes groups as proceeding through the distinct stage of forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. The forming, storming, norming, performing model of group development was first proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965, later he added a fifth stage, "adjourning”. These phases are all necessary and inevitable in order for the team to grow, to face up to challenges, to tackle problems, to find solutions, to plan work and to deliver results. * Forming: It is the first stage in group development, where there is much uncertainty. Individual behavior is driven by the desire to be accepted by the others, and avoid controversy or conflict. Serious issues and feelings are avoided, and people focus on being busy with routines, such as who does what, when to meet, etc. Further individuals are also gathering information and impressions about each other, and about the scope of the task and how to approach it. The stage is complete when member begin to think of themselves as a part of a group. * Storming: It is the second stage in group development, where there is intragroup conflict. Individuals in the group

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