Different stages of group development and Group task management software

Stage 1 (Forming) - Team is just formed and members see each other for the first time. They study the team objectives and tasks. Individual members should clearly understand their parts and comprehend the requirements of the team.

  Team members accept basic rules of the group, agree on team targets and get their first tasks; however group collaboration is not effective on this stage because team members' awareness about project objectives is insufficient yet, they are not accustomed enough to their roles and they are not well acquainted with each other, so often team members work independently. In order to build proper group collaboration, team leader should perform directive style of leadership, do his/her best to integrate the team and develop trust among members. Usage of group task management software can help team members to get into the swing of the work . Distinct task planning will help employees to understand their duties and to focus on work.

Stage 2 (Storming) - Project group obtains more stability. But interpersonal questions and conflicts may prevent the effective work. Team members demonstrate their characters as they enter disputes or conflicts with each other because of different ideas and viewpoints. People may openly express their disappointment or discord regarding their roles, charges, tasks, goals, etc. The team needs to elaborate the decision-making methodology and choose appropriate leadership style. Team leader should perform coaching style of leadership and make accent on tolerance concerning each team member and his/her opinion, elaborate acceptable behavior and help people to find common language.

Stage 3 (Norming) - Establishing of rules, values, habits, methods, instruments. Team members correct their behavior to fit these rules and values. Interaction between people gets right. Effectiveness of project group collaboration is increasing, because of individuals' conscious efforts to solve issues and to reach coordination within the team. People identify themselves according to team roles. Arousal level and mutual trust is increasing. The team leader permits more autonomy for team members and continues to develop partnership and professionalism among the team.

Group scheduling software with capabilities of tasks tracking and reporting would be very useful for this stage. It will facilitate monitoring of tasks execution, so team manager will be able to find out and solve issues and defects in team members' work.

Stage 4 (Performing) - Team members' roles become flexible and functional, team focus on tasks. People collaborate efficiently, without inappropriate conflicts. Team members clearly understand their duties, tasks, possess autonomy, competence and possibility to make decisions without direct intervention of supervisor, team requires less control, people co-work and provide mutual help. Project manager allows team to take majority of decisions. Team leader facilitates working process and prevents regress to previous stages.

The effectiveness of group task management on this stage can be maximized by using of special software that allows team members to collaborate. Group task management software should make project performance visible for team members and allow employees to share their job results, documents, to consult each other regarding tasks and so on.

Stage 5 (Adjourning) - Goals are reached, tasks are done, and the group can be dismissed. For the groups that are created for one project it is the final stage, stage of results celebrating and analyzing. For continuously working teams this stage is the highest level of development, now the team has experience and ready for new projects. If new people are added to such team it may revert to previous stages, however they will be overcome faster.