Tuckman's stages of group development
Every successful team goes through all 5 stages of group development. Each stage of development is
important.
Forming
This is the frst stage and at this stage the members of the group are just getng to know each other for
the frst tme. At this point the purpose of the group might be unclear and the team members not
understand their own purpose of the group. At this point, team members would need a push in the right
directon and it would be helpful if their was someone outside the group to help the group make their
frst steps. Wshen a group frst forms, tme might be wasted on trying to get to know each other if the
team haven't met before. Also, at this stage it would be difcult to assign tasks to specifc members as
no one knows each others strengths and weaknesses at this point. This is an important stage for the
group as the team members are fnding out about who they are working with for the frst tme.
Storming
Once the purpose of the group become clear and team members understand what they are doing,
members might start taking over the group because the individuals in the team might think they
understand the groups target best. This can create confict if people are trying to gain power over the
group. Also when assigning tasks and targets to each individual, their may be a lot of disagreements as
to who gets to complete tasks. At this stage, heavy amounts of work may be passed on to the people
who are less outspoken as other team members can be manipulatve or very persuasive. A lot of teams
do not get past the storming stage due to personality clashes and people refusing to get past the
confict. This stage of the group is important to getng confict out of the way so the group can move
one. This also helps individuals in the group as the members can review their actons and improve as a
person so they are ready for the next tme they are in a team.
Norming
By now the team members start to understand each other properly and the team members come to
agreements. By now, they are coming to agreements and the communicaton amongst the team
members would have improved. The team can now plan beter and can share ideas while
communicatng efectvely. This stage of the group is important so that the team members are clear on
what is expected of them.
Performing
This is the stage when the tasks have been assigned and the members of the group may have diferent
roles. At this stage, the fnal project or mission is being accomplished as they have the knowledge and
motvaton to complete the task. Everyone in the group should be partcipatng by now and this the peak
of productvity in the course of the group development. This stage of the group is important because the
work is now being completed and the teams goal is reached. One example of the performing stage could
from when reality show apprentces complete their tasks in groups as they should each know what they
are supposed to be doing.
Every successful team goes through all 5 stages of group development. Each stage of development is
important.
Forming
This is the frst stage and at this stage the members of the group are just getng to know each other for
the frst tme. At this point the purpose of the group might be unclear and the team members not
understand their own purpose of the group. At this point, team members would need a push in the right
directon and it would be helpful if their was someone outside the group to help the group make their
frst steps. Wshen a group frst forms, tme might be wasted on trying to get to know each other if the
team haven't met before. Also, at this stage it would be difcult to assign tasks to specifc members as
no one knows each others strengths and weaknesses at this point. This is an important stage for the
group as the team members are fnding out about who they are working with for the frst tme.
Storming
Once the purpose of the group become clear and team members understand what they are doing,
members might start taking over the group because the individuals in the team might think they
understand the groups target best. This can create confict if people are trying to gain power over the
group. Also when assigning tasks and targets to each individual, their may be a lot of disagreements as
to who gets to complete tasks. At this stage, heavy amounts of work may be passed on to the people
who are less outspoken as other team members can be manipulatve or very persuasive. A lot of teams
do not get past the storming stage due to personality clashes and people refusing to get past the
confict. This stage of the group is important to getng confict out of the way so the group can move
one. This also helps individuals in the group as the members can review their actons and improve as a
person so they are ready for the next tme they are in a team.
Norming
By now the team members start to understand each other properly and the team members come to
agreements. By now, they are coming to agreements and the communicaton amongst the team
members would have improved. The team can now plan beter and can share ideas while
communicatng efectvely. This stage of the group is important so that the team members are clear on
what is expected of them.
Performing
This is the stage when the tasks have been assigned and the members of the group may have diferent
roles. At this stage, the fnal project or mission is being accomplished as they have the knowledge and
motvaton to complete the task. Everyone in the group should be partcipatng by now and this the peak
of productvity in the course of the group development. This stage of the group is important because the
work is now being completed and the teams goal is reached. One example of the performing stage could
from when reality show apprentces complete their tasks in groups as they should each know what they
are supposed to be doing.
