Team stages

Team stages is a concept, first introduced by Bruce Wayne Tuckman, a psychologist, in 1965. The theory was given an official name, "Tuckman's Stages". Researching processes and dynamics inside teams is the groundwork for "Tuckman's Stages". Earlier in his findings, Tuckman determined four stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing. But several years later, fifth stage, Adjourning, was added to the theory.

Forming Stage

The Forming Stage is mainly for team members to get to know each other and to orient themselves in the new company. Level of uncertainty is relatively high, since some people are often reluctant to show emotions or engage in new relationships. Others can deviate from their normal behaviour in order to fit in and be respected, which can be problem in later stages. Several individuals may seek to become a leader and take command over the group. The goal of The Forming Stage is to identify the team's mission, allocate suitable roles for all group members, organise duties and responsibilities effectively. Developing a schedule for the project is also included in this stage, deciding the time for meetings, etc.

Storming Stage

The Storming Stage is considered to be the most challenging out of all the stages to go through. At this point team members are acquainted with the project, so conflicts between personalities appear. People start competing for authoritarian position in the group, which slows down overall progress and performance. In The Storming Stage a clear distinction between more and less dominant confrontational workers can be seen. The latter ones prefer to not enter arguments and remain neutral. In order to overcome this stage conflicts need to be addressed and dealt with. People tend to ask questions, that revolve around benefits and incentives policy, criteria for individual and group assessment, during this period of time. Those questions have to answered so that group members feel secure, committed and have a sense of belonging to team.