Groups go through different stages as outlined in Tuckman's Group Development model. The stages are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. During forming, group members are polite and avoid conflict. In storming, differences are challenged. Norming occurs as the group finds harmony. Performing is when the group reaches full potential. Adjourning happens after goals are achieved and the group disbands. Understanding these stages helps groups improve teamwork and productivity.

1. Tuckman’s Group Development
(Introduction)

2. ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE
TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH
Helen Keller
Image retrieved from http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/05/15/is-the-media-unfair-to-rugby-league/

3. 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.

4. 4
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)

5. 5
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)

6. 6
Factors that influence the group progression are:
1. Group Size
2. Geographical Spread of the Group
3. Frequency/Duration of Meetings
4. Group Synergy
5. Time Pressure
6. Team Leader’s Influence
7. Members’ Tolerance/Patience
8. 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)

7. COMING TOGETHER IS A
BEGINNING
KEEPING TOGETHER IS A
PROGRESS
WORKING TOGETHER IS A
SUCCESS
Henry Ford
Image retrieved from http://bristolrising.com/2012/09/24/power-of-coming-together/

8. 8References
01
02
03
04
05
Tuckman, Bruce W. (1965), 'Developmental Sequence in Small Groups,'
Psychological Bulletin, Volume 63, June 1965
06
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

9. 9References
07
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
09
Business Balls. Received from
http://www.businessballs.com/tuckmanformingstormingnormingperforming.htm
10
Wikipedia. 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