Model of group development

From Competendo - Digital Toolbox
Revision as of 08:06, 10 May 2022 by Nils.zimmermann (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to: navigation, search
The prominent model of group development by Bruce Tuckmann accounts for the dynamics of a typical course of a project. It illustrates the fact that team processes in general work dynamically. As such it is the basis for other, often more detailed models.
Group development after Tuckman

After Tuckman (1965)[1]

Forming

At the beginning there are contradictory feelings: Anticipation next to skepticism, creativity next to fundamental discussions. It is necessary to determine the common goals and tasks, roles and rules for communication. From the individual’s point of view there are high expectations but also uncertainty. This phase acts as a means of orientation.


Storming

After the common orientation “the group starts running”, interests and conflicts will not be long in coming. The project environment also challenges the team members: Attendances at exams, everyday burdens or love relationships. Under such a pressure disagreements quickly manifest themselves: One has to deal with goal conflicts and personal conflicts, find “an emotional response to material challenges” (Tuckman).


Norming

After conflicts have been decided and mitigated, usually relief ensues. The common comes to the fore, rules have been established and consequences from past conflicts have been drawn. Fractures have to be “patched“. Both the identification with the common cause and the readiness to engage in dialogue increase. The first successes of the project become apparent.


Performing

The intensity of work increases and the norming phase is followed by a very active phase of good arrangements and well-planned tasks. One tries to gain control of the process by means of project management. In terms of group dynamics, the insider view is dominant. The team has itself in its sights: We work together.


Adjourning

The end of the project activities offers the opportunity to take stock and to draw consequences: Adjourning or continuing. It goes without saying that this does not pass without emotion. If one takes continuing into consideration, this should happen upon other terms: With other team members, in a different environment, with other goals.


Re-Forming

This evaluation phase does not only figure as the ending of a typical project. Even during the group process there are phases, which interrupt the outlined cycle. Be it because somebody leaves, rejects responsibility or demands new tasks/foci. The eventual (new) uncertainty is followed by an evaluation phase, which Tuckman describes as re-forming.


References

  1. B. W. Tuckman: Developmental sequence in small groups, Psychological Bulletin, 1965. 63, S. 384-399

Nils-Eyk Zimmermann

Nils-Eyk Zimmermann

Editor of Competendo. He writes and works on the topics: active citizenship, civil society, digital transformation, non-formal and lifelong learning, capacity building. Coordinator of European projects, in example DIGIT-AL Digital Transformation in Adult Learning for Active Citizenship, DARE network.

Blogs here: Blog: Civil Resilience.
Email: nils.zimmermann@dare-network.eu