ABSTRACT
Team Dynamics A team goes through several stages before it reaches its optimal level of performance. When a team is first assembled, it goes through the stage referred to as forming. At this point, team members do not yet know one another or what their role in the team will be. The project manager can expedite this stage by having one or more introductory meetings, where team members can meet for the first time. Off-site, or social-themed meetings, can also be valuable team-forming techniques. The second stage of team development is called storming for a good reason. Although team members now accept the members in their group, individual roles have yet to be determined. The project manager will no doubt assign job-or task-oriented roles within the group (i.e., project leader, analyst, programmer), but the social aspects of the team are still very much in play. This can cause turmoil, to which the project manager needs to be attuned. Once the team finds its inner dynamic, or balance, the team can get down to business in the norming phase of team development. When a team has been together for some time, it achieves its optimal level of performance. This is referred to as the performing.phase. As we will see in Chapter 11, there will come a time when the project is complete and the team might be disbanded. This is the adjourning phase of team development.
