Tuckmans

Tuckmans is commonly used to refer to the model of group development developed by psychologist Bruce Tuckman, also known as Tuckman's stages of group development. First introduced in 1965, the model described four sequential phases through which many teams progress: forming, storming, norming, and performing. In the forming stage, members acquaint themselves with the task and each other, while leadership is usually centralized. Storming is marked by conflict and testing of boundaries as roles and goals are debated. Norming involves increased cohesion, the establishment of group norms, and collaborative problem solving. Performing represents a mature, functioning team that focuses on tasks and performance with minimal friction. In 1977, Tuckman and Mary Ann Jensen added a fifth stage, adjourning (sometimes called mourning), recognizing that groups eventually conclude their work and disband.

The model has influenced management training, team-building activities, and project management by offering a simple framework to diagnose development and guide facilitation. It is widely taught in business schools and used by organizations to plan interventions, set expectations, and manage transitions. Critics note that the stages can be overly linear and that teams may cycle through stages repeatedly or skip stages depending on context. Cultural factors, task complexity, leadership style, and external changes can also alter trajectories. Despite these caveats, Tuckman's stages remain a foundational reference for understanding how teams form, interact, and evolve over time.