What are the four stages of teamwork?

The four stages of teamwork identified as forming, storming, norming, and performing describe a model of group development that outlines how teams evolve over time.

In the forming stage, team members come together and get to know each other. They discuss their goals and establish initial roles, often with high levels of uncertainty as they are polite and avoid conflict.

The storming stage is characterized by conflict and competition as team members begin to express their individual opinions and challenge each other. This is a crucial phase where leadership and communication can significantly influence the team dynamics.

During the norming stage, the team starts to resolve their differences, establish norms, and develop a sense of cohesion. Collaboration increases as members begin to trust each other and work more as a unified group.

Finally, the performing stage is where the team reaches its peak functioning. Members are now interdependent and can operate effectively towards common goals, showcasing a high level of collaboration and productivity.

This model is widely recognized in organizational and teamwork studies, making it a foundational concept for understanding team dynamics and development. The other options, while they do contain elements of teamwork and project management, do not encapsulate the phases of teamwork development as effectively as this model does.