Building Effective Teams

The 5 steps of team development

Click on a color to explore the characteristics of a team at that stage.

Click on the arrows on each slide to advance

Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning

Development Stages

Forming

Members look to leader for direction

Members want acceptanceSerious topics are avoidedTeam is task-orientation

This is a comfortable stage, but the avoidance of conflict and threat means that not

much actually gets done. To grow from this stage to the next, each member must relinquish the comfort of

non-threatening topics and risk the possibility of

conflict.

Storming

Competition and conflict in personal relations

dimensionOrganization in task

dimension Differences in group

behavior

This stage actually represents progress. As the group members attempt to

organize for the task, conflict inevitably results. This period of unrest leads to organization in the task-

functions dimension. Questions are often

resolved.

Norming

Cohesion and functionality Preconceptions changed

Leadership shared

Norming represents the beginning of cohesion; the group is coming together functionally. In this stage of data flow and cohesion, interactions are characterized by openness and sharing of information on both a personal and task level.

Performing

Interdependence Problem solving

High energy  

The team find solutions to problems using appropriate

controls. Members work collaboratively, yet

independently. They care about each other and the

group establishes a unique identity.

Adjourning

Termination of tasks

Disengagement

from relationships

Celebration

Adjourning is important for the group members’ sense of closure. There is typically are recap or review of what

has been done or completed. It also involves

disengagement from relationships. Conclusion

usually includes recognition for participation and achievement and an

opportunity for personal goodbyes.