Utilization of the Stages of Group Development

Utilization of the Stages of Group Development

By utilizing the stages of group development in the decision making process for groups to arrive at a consensus decision one finds that brainstorming is utilized more so to allow all group members to contribute many different ideas to be discussed and understood by the group before coming to a final decision. Group F started with their group project this way while also evolving by utilizing the stages of group development. This model was a subconscious process for this group, no one said let us use this model, overall it appeared that this model was used (AIU Online, 2006).

Bruce Tuckman developed a 4-stage model of group development that he then later added a fifth stage, which consisted of the following: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. This group utilized these in the following manner:

1. Each member formed by starting out fairly quiet, avoiding conflict, yet working behind the scenes to get on track with the assignment. Each person did not truly want to be a leader so a leader was not names, but initiative to get the project started and complete was shown by a few of the members.

2. Storming was not shown full force but while conducting a live chat session with the group it started out with much idle chat amongst a few of the members. One member took the liberty of finding a polite way to speak up to ensure that the idle chat concluded or moved on so the group could get through the project at hand.

3. Norming was shown for while one member did not contribute the rest of the members stood together to get the project complete. Discussion of completing the project was a positive with no negative mention of the one group member that did not contribute.

4. Performing was another stage shown for the members who did participate. The members were equally task-oriented and were comfortable and trusting with one another to finalize the