Team Building and Collaboration, Part 1

Every team goes through the five stages of team development, namely, forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.   The adjourning stage is when the team is completing the project.  For a high performing team, the end of a project brings on feeling of sadness as the team members have effectively become as one and now are going their separate ways.    This stage looks at the team from the perspective of the well-being of the team rather than from the perspective of managing a team through the original four stages of team growth.

For me, in high preforming groups, it was very hard to say good-bye especially when we had established such a rhythm.  The closing rituals usually involved giving final reports or having a final dinner celebration.  The adjourning stage is essential to bring proper closure and to review the highs and lows of the process that the group underwent.

Reference

Abudi, G. (2010). The Five Stages of Team Development: A Case Study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-development-a-case-study.html