Created by Bruce Tuckman in the 1960's, the Group Development Model helps facilitators to determine fitting approaches for groups based on the stage they exist in. 

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Forming Stage: In the forming stage, groups are just coming together and potentially meeting each other for the first time. Members are often motivated, but not familiar with the objectives or the potential challenges for the group. They may begin to create ground rules, set goals, discuss how to do things, and possibly even start to test the boundaries of what is and is not acceptable by the group. In this stage, facilitators should set up a safe environment for people to get involved. Encourage people to share only what they are comfortable with and also engage in the process with the group so they can get to know you as well!

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Storming Stage: In the storming stage, the group starts to experience conflict. This conflict can be internal or external conflict, but mainly centers around uncertainty, lack of trust, personality differences, fear, anxiety and even suspicion. This stage is extremely beneficial for groups to experience if they are able to navigate through it with tolerance and patience. When groups are able to do this, the struggle can make members and the group stronger, resulting in an appreciation for differences and the ability to more readily work through future conflicts. It is in this stage that facilitators can make really amazing strides with a group, but also must be careful to not allow the group to get out of control and become destructive. 

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Norming Stage: When a group is able to navigate through the storming phase, their experience with resolving conflict leads to a more cooperative working environment. They may revisit ground rules, goals and processes set before and revise to better reflect their group now that they know each other better. Because of this, members tend to take more responsibility and want to work together towards the common goal. As a facilitator, this is where you want to help the group to discuss and establish norms that will encourage members to remain open and honest with each other as the danger in coming together as a group is that members may become too focused on preventing external conflict that they hold back feedback that may help the group progress in order to keep the peace. Inevitably this will lead to internal and potential external conflict anyway, so facilitators should pay close attention to the dynamics of a group in the norming phase. 

 

Performing Stage: In the performing stage, members are knowledgeable about what they need to do and how to work with others. They are autonomous and any conflict is handled efficiently and effectively. This stage is where groups have higher levels of success. Facilitators should challenge groups in the performing stage with more complex, higher risk tasks and exercises, but also find ways to allow the group to have fun and continue to build relationships with one another.

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Adjourning Stage: The adjourning stage, the group is concluding it’s time together. Here is where the group spends time evaluating and celebrating their time together. Facilitators should ensure that groups in this stage do BOTH of these things. Many jump to celebration or just move on, not engaging in an evaluation process to document their journey, provide feedback, and pass on any information needed.