TUCKMAN'S PHASES OF TEAM DEVELOPMENT

Introduction:

Team development is the description of:

• how team performance evolves.
• how team members behave towards each other.

from the team setup to the team resolution.

Tuckman's Phases

The most prominent team development model is "Tuckman's Phases" ladder.

It includes five development phases a team goes through.

The team may:

• expectedly, move to the next phase.
• get stuck in a phase.
• regress to an earlier phase.
• skip a phase (happen when the team members worked together in the past).

When a team gets stuck or regresses, the project team leader must address these issues.

1. Forming

During this phase the team members:

• meet for first time.
• learn about:

- the project.

- their formal roles and responsibilities.

- behavior expected from them.

• tend to be independent and not open.

The leaders should provide the clear direction on the project objectives and the behavior expected from the team members.

2. Storming

During this phase:

• the team begins to address the:

- project work.

- technical decisions.

- project management approach.

• the team members work cautiously.
• an atmosphere of polite and tension prevails.

The leaders must wisely and effectively resolve work and personal conflicts to enable better transferring the next phase.

If team members are not collaborative or open to differing ideas and perspectives, the environment can become counterproductive.

3. Norming

During this phase, team members begin to:

• learn to trust each other.
• adjust their work habits and behaviors to support the team.
• collaboratively work together.

The leaders:

• ensures the team resolves conflicts quickly and continues to work collaboratively.
• step in only when needed.

4. Performing

A team that reaches the performing phase, functions as a well-organized unit.

The team members:

• become interdependent.
• work smoothly and effectively even through issues.

The leaders should:

• serve as a gateway between the project team and the stakeholders.
• delegate decision making to the team members.

5. Adjourning

During this phase,:

• the team completes the work.
• the team members leave the project.

This typically occurs as a part of the “Close Project or Phase” process.

The duration of a particular phase depends upon:

• team members maturity.
• team dynamics.
• team size.
• team leadership.

Project managers should have a good understanding of “Organizational Theory” to effectively move the team members through all the phases.