Understanding Team Development Stages: Forming, storming, norming & performing
It can take time for teams in the workplace to become successful and build up tactics and techniques for effective collaboration. Every team member is required to put in the effort needed so they can grow and hit the goals it was created to tackle.
Understanding how to manage a team effectively and lead them to this same success is often down to how well leaders can grasp team development and behaviour concepts. The FSNP model, therefore, was created to help explain the various stages a team will go through as they work on a project together so that leaders can do their job to the best of their ability.
In this guide, we’ll take you through how the model works and how managers can ensure they implement the relevant interventions to get the most out of their team at each stage of development.
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How can business leaders manage a team using the FSNP model?
What is FSNP?
FSNP theory was created in 1965 by the American psychologist Bruce Tuckman using basic ideas about team development, and the path they walk on the way towards high performance.
It suggests that every team will go through four stages over the course of completing a project: forming, storming, norming, and performing.
In basic terms forming is the natural cautiousness at the start of a project, storming is when disagreements arise as team members become more comfortable with each other, norming refers to the establishment of norms within the group as conflicts are resolved, and performing happens when the team is established enough to be comfortable in their roles and perform at a high capacity.
The theory is a powerful tool that leaders can utilise to benefit themselves and their team, helping to identify and recognise group behaviours as their team gains experience and graduates through different levels of maturity.
Why is FSNP theory useful?
The model is particularly useful for managers and leaders to understand how their team works. The idea behind the theory is that they can use it to identify which stage their team is currently in and consider what needs to be done to move on to the next stage.
It’s important to remember that the process might not always be linear. For example, new variables, like the addition of a new team member, can cause the team to regress from the norming back to the storming stage.
FSNP theory also offers explanations that can assist with reviewing progress and encourages leaders to take a step back now and again to assess team behaviours.
The stages of FSNP
Below, we’ll take you through each stage and explain how leaders can manage their teams between each one.
What is the forming stage?
The first stage is forming, which marks the point at which a team begins to come together to address an issue and propose upcoming solutions for tackling it. Each team member will turn their attention toward the task and start forging relationships with other team members. The initial stage is often the most positive since the team is coming together with a common goal.
During this stage, team members will rely on leadership for direction and objectives. There may also be a testing of leadership boundaries while roles are established, but there is general harmony amongst the team.
What is the storming stage?
The storming stage is when the group dynamic begins to shift, and conflict is more likely. Team members will often test and find the boundaries of their leaders and other individuals, which exposes the natural clashes between personalities and working styles as they come together.
In the storming stage, smaller cliques may begin to form which can distract team members from the objectives of the team.
What is the norming stage?
As the team settles in, they’ll naturally reach the norming stage. Here, team members start to resolve their differences, appreciate the strengths of others, and respect the leadership.
Team members are also likely to feel more comfortable asking for help and offering constructive feedback without causing conflict. The commitment to the shared goals is strengthened, resulting in steadier progress.
The norming stage is where everything starts to come together and commitment to the collective goal is strong.
What is the performing stage?
In the original final stage of the FSNP model, your team is performing to its full potential. They’ve often established structure and have a clear focus on the project’s goals.
The team is the most fluid at this stage. Although they have fixed roles, their responsibilities can fluctuate depending on the needs of the project.
When the team is performing and demonstrating initiative, disagreements are easier to solve, and there is an unwavering focus on delivering the goals that have been assigned to them.
What is the adjourning stage?
In the final stage, teams will wrap up their work and cease working together. Recognition for the work completed should be provided to ensure the team feels accomplished and has the closure needed before moving on to the next project.
How can business leaders manage a team using the FSNP model?
Managing teams of any size through all four stages of the FSNP model requires a range of different skills. During the forming stage, it makes sense for a manager to be more hands-on, shaping the expectations of the team early on.
When the team is storming, managers may find themselves acting as peacemakers, ensuring that the team is well-balanced and that everyone’s opinions matter equally.
The norming stage brings a sense of equilibrium to the team. During this stage, gentle encouragement from managers can help to strengthen team bonds.
Personal development becomes one of the most important things to prioritise as the project naturally comes to an end, a good manager could guide team members towards areas where their skills can benefit the business in the near future.
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