Bruce Tuckman, an American psychologist, proposed stages of group development that are widely accepted and utilized within Scrum teams. The model asserts that teams navigate through the following phases: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning.
- Forming: During this stage, team members meet and start to work together. They are polite and somewhat reserved as they evaluate each other and their roles in the team.
- Storming: Conflict and competition likely surface here as team members voice their opinions and disagreements about the project and their responsibilities. A Scrum Master needs to guide the team effectively through this stage to prevent counter-productive conflicts.
- Norming: The team starts to resolve their conflicts, appreciate their colleagues’ strengths, and respect their leader’s authority. The team members agree on their rules and values.
- Performing: The team, now efficient and harmonious, solves problems and achieves their goals.
- Adjourning: The team disbands after achieving their goals.
Drexler-Sibbet Team Performance Model
The Drexler-Sibbet Model, another widely recognized model, asserts that team development is not merely a linear progression, but rather a repetitive cycle which teams progress through. This model is made up of seven stages:
- Orientation: Explains “why” the team exists, what is expected from team members, and what the work involves.
- Trust Building: Establishes who the team members are, what their roles are, and how they can work together.
- Goal Clarification: Details what the team needs to accomplish, what success looks like and how it will be measured.
- Commitment: Dictates that the team has to decide what it is going to do, who will do what, when things will be done, and how they will be achieved.
- Implementation: The team moves into action, where the focus is on efficiency and productivity.
- High Performance: The team performs in an open, authentic and trusting atmosphere. The focus is on sustainability and continuous development.
- Renewal: Finally, the team takes time to reflect, relax, and celebrate the team’s achievements.
| Tuckman’s Stages | Drexler-Sibbet Stages |
|---|---|
| Forming | Orientation, Trust building, |
| Storming | Goal clarification, Commitment |
| Norming | Implementation |
| Performing | High Performance, Renewal |
| Adjourning | – |
Both models, while subtly different in their stages, underscore the importance of effective leadership, communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution throughout the process of team development. These models provide ScrumMasters a structured approach to guiding their teams through their journey of becoming a high-performing unit.
For example, a ScrumMaster managing a recently formed team might anticipate the ‘Storming’ stage as per Tuckman’s model or ‘Goal Clarification’ stage as per Drexler-Sibbet and prepare strategies in advance to deal with potential disagreements or goal-setting.
Overall, knowledge in these models empowers ScrumMasters with the tools to usher in stages of high productivity, low stress, and fulfilling team dynamics, making them crucial components of the CSP-SM’s body of knowledge.
Practice Test
True or False: The Tuckman model for team development includes five stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Tuckman model is a well-known paradigm for understanding team development, including these five progressive stages.
Which of the following are stages in the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model for team development?
- A. Orientation
- B. Conflict
- C. Trust building
- D. Integration
Answer: A, C & D
Explanation: The Drexler/Sibbet model includes the stages of orientation, trust building, goal clarification, commitment, implementation, high performance, and renewal.
True or False: According to the Tuckman model, conflict within a team is a negative sign and should be avoided.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: According to the Tuckman model, storming (conflict) is a normal stage in team development, where team members establish their roles and expectations.
Which of the following is NOT a stage in the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model for team development?
- A. Adjourning
- B. Orientation
- C. Trust building
- D. Integration
Answer: A. Adjourning
Explanation: The Drexler/Sibbet model doesn’t include an adjourning or concluding stage; this stage is specific to the Tuckman model.
True or False: In the Tuckman model, the norming stage precedes the storming stage.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In the Tuckman model, the stages progress from forming to storming, norming, performing, and finally, adjourning.
In the context of the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model, what is the focus of the ‘trust building’ stage?
- A. Defining team roles
- B. Setting goals
- C. Building trust and relationships within the team
- D. Resolving conflicts
Answer: C. Building trust and relationships within the team
Explanation: The trust building stage in the Drexler/Sibbet model is centered on establishing interpersonal trust within the team.
True or False: The Drexler/Sibbet model assumes team development is a linear process.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Tuckman model suggests a linear progression, the Drexler/Sibbet model considers team development as a recurring cycle.
Which of the following stages are unique to Tuckman’s model of team development?
- A. Storming
- B. Performing
- C. Adjourning
- D. Implementation
Answer: C. Adjourning
Explanation: The adjourning stage, where the team wraps up and members move on to other projects, is exclusive to the Tuckman model.
Which of the following models proposes a stage where the team is intensely focused on achieving its goals and everyone knows their role and is working together?
- A. Tuckman model
- B. Drexler/Sibbet model
- C. Both A and B
- D. Neither A nor B
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Both the Tuckman model (performing stage) and the Drexler/Sibbet model (high performance stage) have a phase of efficient and effective work towards goals.
True or False: The forming stage is when members of a team start to settle into their roles, according to the Tuckman model.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The forming stage, according to the Tuckman model, is when the team meets and learns about the project and their formal roles. settling in their roles happens in the norming stage.
Interview Questions
What are the basic stages of Tuckman’s team development model?
The basic stages of Tuckman’s team development model are Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning.
Can you explain the ‘Storming’ stage of Tuckman’s model?
In the storming phase, team members start to push against the boundaries established in the forming stage. This is where many teams fail. Storming often starts where there is a conflict between team members’ natural working styles.
Which model of team development is regarded for its progressive structure?
Tuckman’s model of team development is largely recognized for its progressive structure, defining the phases that teams usually pass through to maximize their output effectively.
What is Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model?
The Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model distinguishes seven stages of team development: orientation, trust-building, goal clarification, commitment, implementation, high performance, and renewal.
How is the ‘Orientation’ phase in the Drexler/Sibbet team performance model described?
In the orientation phase, team members get to know each other and start understanding the team’s purpose and envisioned outcomes.
Why is the Tuckman model so important in understanding team development?
The Tuckman model helps to understand that groups do not become teams overnight. They have to go through a process of maturation that takes time and requires the presence of all four stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing.
Can you explain the ‘Implementation’ stage in Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model?
In the implementation phase, the team leaves the planning phase and starts to execute the work. The team becomes more autonomous, the roles are clear and accepted by the team members, and there is a strong trust and high-level collaboration.
What happens in the ‘Renewal’ phase of the Drexler/Sibbet Model?
The ‘Renewal’ phase involves acknowledging each other for the journey, celebrating team and individual achievements and, finally, moving on to new endeavors.
Contrast Tuckman’s model and Drexler/Sibbet model?
While both models identify stages of team growth and development, they differ in their approach and the number of stages. Tuckman’s model has five stages and is more linear, whereas the Drexler/Sibbet model accounts for seven stages and cycles back to previous phases if required.
What happens in ‘Norming’ stage of Tuckman’s model?
In the ‘Norming’ stage, conflicts are resolved, and relationships develop. Team members start appreciating each other’s strengths and respect their leaders.
What are the benefits of using the Drexler/Sibbet Model in Scrum?
The benefits include acknowledging the different stages in the team development process, predicting potential issues, facilitating the healthy progression of the team, and more productive collaborations.
In the context of the Tuckman model, how can ‘Storming’ manifest itself?
‘Storming’ can manifest itself through conflicts regarding team roles, differing personal values, operational procedures, and even personal attributes.
How do the ‘Performing’ stage of Tuckman’s model and the ‘High Performance’ stage of the Drexler/Sibbet model compare?
In both stages, the team is working effectively towards achieving its goals. There is high-level collaboration, trust, and constructive self-management.
Which of Tuckman’s model stages aligns with the ‘Goal Clarification’ stage in the Drexler/Sibbet model?
The ‘Norming’ stage in Tuckman’s model corresponds to the ‘Goal Clarification’ stage in Drexler/Sibbet’s model, where teams agree on their goals and work towards a consensus on roles and responsibilities.
What is the ‘Trust Building’ stage in the Drexler/Sibbet model?
The ‘Trust Building’ stage involves team members expressing their personal needs and establishing trust. This entails setting aside fears and uncertainties, establishing openness, and building relationships.
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