The Stages of a Group: Forming, Norming, Storming, Performing and Adjourning

The inner workings of every group tend to vary; that is except for the stages of group dynamics. Where project planning, communication, conflict resolution strategies or member roles vary from group to group, every group goes through the same five stages: Forming, Norming, Storming, Performing and Adjourning.

The inner workings of every group tend to vary; that is except for the stages of group dynamics. Where project planning, communication, conflict resolution strategies or member roles vary from group to group, every group goes through the same five stages.

In 1965 Bruce W. Tuckman created the 4 stage model of the stages of group dynamics; Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing (Beddoes-Jones, 2004). About 10 years later, Tuckman added a fifth stage to the model; Adjourning (2001). Other "trainers" have added a different fifth stage; that of mourning (Beddoes-Jones, 2004).

The first stage that a group must go through is called the "Forming" or "Formation" stage. According to Tuckman's model, the tasks that are completed in this stage are:

• Joining
• Welcoming
• Understanding the purpose
• Building relationships (UCSB).

In this stage, individual behavior can be driven by a yearning to be accepted by the other group members, and/oravoid controversy or conflict. The "Forming" stage is a comfortable stage to be in, but the avoidance of conflict and threat means that not much in point of fact gets done (2001).

Stages two and three, Storming and Norming, can vary in order. While on Tuckman's model "Norming" is the second stage of group development, some other trainers and theorist believe that the second stage is"Storming"(2001).

In the "Norming" stage, group members begin to set goals and expectations. Whereas, in the "Storming" stage of a group that the roles are assigned, such as the role of the leader (UCSB).

In the "Storming" stage, member can air their dissatisfaction and begin to find ways through their conflicts. In this stage group members Assess both Leadership and member roles (UCSB).

While not all groups reach the fourth stage of group dynamics, "Performing,"the one that do are well functioning groups. This stage is "characterized by a state of interdependence and flexibility." Group member know each other and have developed a trusting rapport. The group roles and/orresponsibilities may change in this stage, but the group identity, loyalty and morale all stay high (2001).

According to Tuckman, the last stage of group development is "Adjourning." In this stage that the group members put closure on tasks and relationships and prepare for a new group experience. Within this stage, group members may procrastinate or sabotage projects due to unspoken feeling of "closure" (UCSB). This stage is simply about completion and disengagement, both from the tasks and the group members (2001).

Other Trainers and theorist call this stage "Mourning.""This stage involves the changing dynamics within teams. When team composition alters for whatever reason, including members joining or leaving the team, the existing group mourns the loss of its previous group dynamics or group members (Beddoes-Jones, 2004)."

The "Adjourning" and "Mourning" Stages main difference is the adjournment. The "Mourning" theory leaves the group intact,whereas the "Adjourning" stage dismisses group member upon completion and offers them to new groups.

Tuckman believed that these stages were all necessary and unavoidable for "a group to grow, face challenges, tackle problems, find solutions, plan work and deliver results." Tuckman's model has, since, become the group development and team dynamics (Wikipedia, 2001).
References

Beddoes-Jones, Fiona (2004).The psychology of teams. Training Journal. 16-20.

(2001). Tuckman. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from FAMOUS MODELS; Stages of Group Development Web

site:http://www.chimaeraconsulting.com/tuckman.htm

Forming-storming-norming-performing. (2008). Forming-storming-norming-performing. In Wikipedia [Web].

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. Retrieved April 24, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forming-storming-norming-performing

UCSB, Small Group Development Theory by Bruce Tuckman. Retrieved April 24, 2008, from Small Group

Development Theory by Bruce Tuckman Web site: http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/osl/LeadershipDevelopment/LeadershipResources/pdf/StagesOfGroupDev elopment.pdf