Five Stages of Team Development

Question one 

Tuckman’s model usually helps a project manager in maximizing the effectiveness of his/her team. A project manager relies on his her team for the success of the project. As a result, team development is a significant element for the project manager to ensure successful completion of the project. It is the role of the project manager of setting a lively environment so that the team can work with a positive attitude. Therefore, Tuckman’s model helps a project manager in the formation of the team and developing it through the various stages of storming, norming, and effective performance in order to align the team towards the achievement of the project’s aims and objectives. 

Question two 

In Tuckman’s model performing stage, members of the team are usually functioning at a very high level. During this stage, members of the team usually have formed a strong connection and bond. Thus, they perform with little friction since there exists high levels of trust for each other, respect, and motivation. The members further rely on each other since they are usually aware that their own role and that of other members contributes to the success of the team. At this stage, the team is usually self-directing and does not need much supervision. Therefore, when a new member joins the team at this stage, it affects the team’s group dynamics in multiple methods. First, it may drag down the accomplishment of the project since the team is already established. Second, it may cause the team to revert to the forming stage in order to incorporate the new member. 

Question three 

The adjourning stage in Tuckman’s model, a group wraps up its works and then it dissolves. This stage comes after the group has achieved its objectives. In the case of temporary teams, the adjourning stage marks the period when the team is disbanded after the completion of a project. Permanent teams may continue functioning for a longer period without reaching the adjourning stage and therefore for this case disbanding occurs in the restructure of the organization. As team members are approaching the completion of the project, they tend to experience a sense of loss. As a result, their motivation may decline as the project nears its end. Therefore, the adjourning stage is significant since it helps group members in attaining sense of closure and the group is disbanded on a positive note. During this stage, members are able to review their success and celebrate their achievements. This stage facilitates a healthy ending. 

Question four 

An example of a scenario that can benefit from Tuckman’s project is in the event that an organization wants to increase its sales. As of this, a team will be formed where members have never worked together before. In the second stage, the storming stage, members struggle independently while trying to prove their effectiveness to the organization. Conflicts are bound to occur during this stage. In the norming stage, members start coming together and brainstorming ideas where members start identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their counterparts, thus roles are defined. Most sales teams spend much time in this stage and members become committed to their responsibilities. In the performing stage, members are aligned towards the common goal and are able to function without involvement of the management 

Question five 

When Tuckman’s model is compared to the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance model, Tuckman’s model has proved to be better than the Team performance model. To start with, both models help in increasing competency levels in during team development. However, the Drexler/Sibbet model consists of many stages when compared to Tuckman’s model. It usually consists of seven stages unlike Tuckman’s model, which contains of only four stages. As a result, while using the Drexler/Sibbet model, the team is bound to face unforeseen obstacles in the latter stages especially in the implementation stage. This is unlike in the Tuckman’s model where most challenges are faced during the prior stages. Further, in Tuckman’s model, teams evolve in a more natural way where things fall in place automatically. On the other hand, Drexler/Sibbet model 

Question Six 

Motivation is usually important since it encourages and stimulates members of a team to work towards the success of a project. There are usually three types of motivation methods. These include of extrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic motivation refers to use of external motivation factors in motivating the team members. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation refers to the internal motivation that comes from within. It usually happens when people enjoy the work that they do. In addition, family also serves as a separate motivation factor on its own. The methods that motivate my team include of using external factors for motivation. These include of rises in payment and bonuses upon achievement or completion of a particular task. It is usually important that project managers together with members of the teams understand the different types of motivation. For project managers, understanding the different methods of motivation usually helps in aligning the project to the organization’s strategic goals, controlling the scope of the project, and helps in reducing conflicts among members. On the other hand, team members are usually excited on working on new projects; hence, understanding the motivation methods helps them to remain motivated and at other times helps in boosting their motivation. 

References 

The five stages of team development. (2016, 20 Oct). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZbmIg0c2s4&feature=youtu.be