Stages of Group Development
Stages of Group Development
There are 5 Stages of Group Development; which are:
- Forming
- Storming
- Norming
- Performing
- Adjourning
Let’s look at the stages of group development.
Forming
The first stage of group development is known as the forming stage. The forming stage represents a time where the group is just starting to come together and is characterized by anxiety and uncertainty.
Members are cautious with their behavior, which is driven by the desire to be accepted by all members of the group.
Conflict, controversy and personal opinions are avoided even though members are beginning to form impressions of each other and gain an understanding of what the group will do together.
Some believe this cautious behavior prevents the group from getting any real work done.
However, the focus for group members during the forming stage is to become familiar with each other and their purpose, not on work.
Typical outcomes of the forming stage include things like gaining an understanding of the group’s purpose, determining how the team will be organized and who will be responsible for what, discussion of major milestones or phases of the group’s goal, outlining general group rules and discovery of what resources will be available for the group to use.
Storming
The second stage of group development is known as the storming stage. The storming stage is where conflict and competition are at its greatest. This is because now that group members have an understanding of the task and a general feel for who they are as a group and who group members are, they feel confident and begin to address some of the more important issues surrounding the group.
Such issues can relate to things like the group’s tasks, individual roles, and responsibilities or even with the group members themselves.
The storming stage is where the more dominant of the group members emerge, while other, less confrontational members stay in the comfort and security of suppressing their feelings just as they did in the previous stage.
Even though these individuals stay quiet, issues may still exist.
All members have an increased need for clarification. Questions surrounding leadership, authority, rules, responsibilities, structure, evaluation criteria and reward systems tend to arise during the storming stage.
Such questions must be answered so that the group can move on to the next stage. Consequently, not all groups are able to move past the storming stage.
Norming
Once a group receives the clarity that it so desperately needs, it can move on to the third stage of group development, known as the norming stage.
The norming stage is the time where the group becomes a cohesive unit. Morale is high as group members actively acknowledge the talents, skills and experience that each member brings to the group. A sense of community is established and the group remains focused on the group’s purpose and goal. Members are flexible, interdependent and trust each other.
Leadership is shared, and members are willing to adapt to the needs of the group. Information flows seamlessly and is uninhibited due to the sense of security members feel in the norming stage.
Performing
At its peak, the group. moves into the fourth stage of group development, known as the performing stage. The performing stage is marked by high productivity.
Group members are unified, loyal and supportive. Competence in all members is seen, allowing for a high level of autonomy in decision making. Problem solving, experimentation and testing possible solutions are high as group members are focused on task completion and achievement. The overall objective of the group during the performing stage is to complete their mission.
Adjourning
For permanent work groups, performing is the last stage in their development.
However, for temporary committees, teams, task forces, and similar groups that have a limited task to perform, there is an adjourning stage.
Even the most successful groups, committees, and project teams disband sooner or later. Their breakup is called adjournment, which requires dissolving intense social relations and returning to permanent assignments.
The adjournment stage is becoming even more frequent with the advent of flexible organizations, which feature temporary groups.
Important links
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