Five Stages of Group Development (Tuckman)

What are the five stages of development in the Tuckman model?

*Forming *Storming *Norming *Performing *Adjourning

What does is needed from the group so the model can function properly?

A group will proceed through the five stages as far as its members are willing to grow. Group cohesiveness seems to depend on how well group members can relate in the same phase at the same time. Each member must be prepared to give up something each step in order to make the group move to the next stage.

Why was this model developed?

It shows the stages of evolution of a group in relation to two major dimensions of personal relations and task functions. The progress along these paths is parallel and interrelated.

What is stage five, and what does this stage deal with?

Stage five: Adjourning- This stage involves the termination of task behavior and the disengagement from relationships. A planned conclusion usually involves recognition for participation and achievement and an opportunity for members to say personal goodbyes.

What is stage four, and what does this stage deal with?

Stage four: Performing- This stage is not reached by all groups. In this stage, people can work singly, in subgroups, or as a total unit with equal facility. Their roles and authorities dynamically adjust to the changing needs of the group and individuals. This stage is marked by interdependence in personal relations and problem solving in the realm of task functions. The group gives support for experimentation in solving problems and an emphasis on achievement. The overall goal is productivity.

What is stage one, and what does this stage deal with?

Stage one: Forming- in this stage personal relations are characterized by dependence. Group members rely on safe, patterned behavior and look to the group leader for guidance and direction. Rules of behavior are kept simple to avoid controversy. The major task function also concerns orientation. Members attempt to become oriented to the task as well as to one another. Discussion centers around defining the scope of the task, how to approach it, and similar concerns.

What is stage three, and what does this stage deal with?

Stage three: Norming- In this stage group members are engaged in active acknowledgement of all members' contributions, community building and maintenance, and solving of group issues. The major function of this stage is the data flow between each group member; they share feelings and ideas, solicit and give feedback to one another, and explore actions related to the task. The major drawback of this stage is that members may begin to fear the inevitable future breakup of the group; they may resist change of any sort.

What is stage two, and what does this stage deal with?

Stage two: Storming- this stage is characterized by competition and conflict in the personal-relations dimension and organization in the task-functions dimension. Individuals have to bend and mold their feelings, ideas, and attitudes to suit the group organization. Questions will arise about who is going to be responsible for what, what the rules are, what the reward system is, and what the criteria for evolution is. In order to progress to the next step, group members must move from a "testing and proving" mentality to a problem-solving mentality.