Tuckman’s Group Development (Introduction)

ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE

TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH

Helen Keller

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3Tuckman’s Group Development (Introduction)

Groups are formed by pulling multiple individuals together to work on certain goals. Each member brings a unique talent and expertise to the pool that helps the group to reach it’s objectives. However, members of the group may face conflicts when working together, as each individuals has different attitude and personalities. By getting a better understanding of each other and the group, teamwork could be formed.

Why is teamwork important?Teamwork helps to increase the group efficiency and speed up the time to reach

their goals. Some tasks may be impossible for individuals to handle alone but it can easily be resolved with teamwork.

Tuckman’s Group Development is a basic framework that explains the different stages that a group experiences throughout working together. Learning the stages helps the group to have a clearer view on how to obtain teamwork and achieve maximum productivity.

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Psychologist, Bruce W. Tuckman, introduced the group development model ‘Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing’ in 1965. The stage ‘Adjourning’ was later added in 1977.

Bruce W. Tuckman

Tuckman’s Group Development (Introduction)

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Tuckman’s Group Development Model explains on how a group being put together, acts passively and politely trying to avoid conflicts; then later on realizing their individual differences and begin to challenge each other; it shows how does the group react and progress (or regress) from the conflict; later on being in harmony and reaching the group’s full potential; finally to part away after achieving their goals.

Tuckman’s Group Development (Introduction)

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Factors that influence the group progression are:1. Group Size2. Geographical Spread of the Group3. Frequency/Duration of Meetings4. Group Synergy5. Time Pressure6. Team Leader’s Influence7. Members’ Tolerance/Patience8. External Factors

The completion time for the entire cycle differs between groups and some groups might find themselves stuck at certain stages. There might be groups that revert back to the previous stages due to external factors or influences. The group will only reach it’s maximum productivity level when it is at the Performing stage.

Tuckman’s Group Development (Introduction)

COMING TOGETHER IS A

BEGINNINGKEEPING TOGETHER IS A

PROGRESSWORKING TOGETHER IS A

SUCCESSHenry Ford

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8References01

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Tuckman, Bruce W. (1965), 'Developmental Sequence in Small Groups,' Psychological Bulletin, Volume 63, June 1965

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Tuckman, Bruce W. and Jensen, M.A.C. (1977) 'Stages of Small-Group Development Revisited,' Group Organization Management, Volume 2, Number 4, December 1977.

MIT Human Resource Web. Received from http://hrweb.mit.edu/learning-development/learning-topics/teams/articles/stages-development

The Teambuilding Company. Received from http://www.teambuilding.co.uk/Forming-Storming-Norming-Performing.html

Aurora (2013). Received from Bruce Tuckman's Team Development Model

Culture At Work. Received from Bruce Tuckman's Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing Team Development Model

9References07

The Happy Manager. Received from http://www.the-happy-manager.com/articles/teamwork-theory/

08 Free Management Ebooks. Received from http://www.free-management-ebooks.com/faqld/development-02.htm

09Business Balls. Received from http://www.businessballs.com/tuckmanformingstormingnormingperforming.htm

10Wikipedia. Received from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuckman%27s_stages_of_group_development

11 Mind Tools. Received from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_86.htm

12 Chimaera Consulting. Received from http://www.chimaeraconsulting.com/tuckman.htm