The birth of a team goes through various stages of development. Forming a team is not as easy as forming a group. A group can be created in a very short period of time, even instantly. Group members can simply be obtained by gathering people of a certain commonality or specific category. A group can be formed out of individuals of the same gender, people with the same culture, those of a certain age range or individuals with common religious beliefs and values.

A team, on the other hand, takes time to develop. The process is not a mere picking of individuals with a common denominator. A team formation requires phases of development in order for the team to grow and become effective since a team is ideally considered a collective or cohesive unit.

In 1650, an American educational psychologist, Bruce Tuckman, designed and introduced the stages of team development after a careful study and observation of the behavior of small groups Mobdro Download App in the society and the phases that these groups go through. The developmental model was born out of the aim of achieving high performance and effectiveness in teams.

The Four Stages of Team Formation

Stage 1: Forming

In the Forming stage, individuals are selected to form a team and members initially meet or get acquainted with each other. This is a crucial phase since the team members have yet to learn the challenges and opportunities in the team. The behavior of the members is to observe and be safe from conflicts. At times, some members experience confusion of roles and functions. But this is normal in this early stage of getting comfortable with the rest of the team. Forming stage is a good opportunity for the members to learn how well one individual works with the other and how well each member responds to pressure.

Stage 2: Storming

The Storming stage is probably the most challenging phase that a team may experience. Here is when conflicts and disagreements, as well as negotiations and discussions, arise. However, conflicts are necessary for a team to grow and become more effective in dealing with challenges. Differences in personalities and opinions have to be managed well with supervision from the team leader to avoid team destruction.

Stage 3: Norming

The third stage is focused on setting ground rules and unified team goals. The team rules and regulations help keep the members within the required standards of the team. At this time, conflicts and differences are ironed out, and team roles are now more defined.

Stage 4: Performing

A collaborative and mutual environment is evident in the last stage of team formation. Team members have now moved to a cohesive manner of working on tasks and achieving goals.

Tuckman’s Fifth Stage in Team Development

After more than a decade of presenting the stages of team formation, Tuckman revised his work and introduced a fifth phase in the formation of a team, which is called the Adjourning or Transforming stage. Mobdro APK It is the final stage wherein a team achieves its goals and completes tasks. During this time, team effort is recognized along with the contribution of each member to the success of the team. After which, the team is then dissolved from its formation.

Steps to Getting Started

Each team has to have a clear set of essential elements and process in its formation. The following steps are necessary for a team to achieve further efficiency:

a. Having a set of clearly established ground rules
Otherwise known as code of conduct, ground rules are implemented for the team to work harmoniously and smoothly. Commonly, these rules are based on principles of respect, trust, and open communication in every team member.

b. Keeping team members updated and informed
For a more efficient functionality, team members must constantly acquire new and recent updates and information, which may be necessary in carrying out their tasks.

c. Growing together
In order to grow together, teams must allocate time for socializing or bonding. Team building can be scheduled to inculcate a sense of team spirit.

d. Reinforcing team members
Positive reinforcement of member behaviors and contributions encourage motivation and promote stronger teamwork from team members, allowing for collaboration from the whole team.