© University of Wisconsin-Madison 1

Team Growth and Performance

Quality Engineering and Quality Management

Learning ObjectivesUpon completing this module, you will be able to:

• Appreciate the four stages of team growth and start to consider how to ensure a successful team project for this course.

• Understand the basics of team/group processes and the characteristics of a well functioning team.

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Stages of Team Growth

• The ordinary team is a complicated “creature!”– Personal differences– Members have to balance team Vs. job

commitments– Pressures often exist to solve problem(s)

quickly– New skills are often needed to solve problems

wellThe more you know about what to expect as your team progresses, the better able you will be to handle difficulties.

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Stages of Team Growth *

As teams mature, members gradually learn to cope with emotional and group pressures. As a result, teams go through the following stages *:

FORMINGSTORMINGNORMINGPERFORMING

*Reference: Scholtes, Peter R. The Team Handbook, 1988; Joiner Associates, Inc.

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FormingSTAGE 1 OF TEAM GROWTH

When a team first forms, team members are like hesitant swimmers standing by the side of the pool and dabbing their toes in the water.

This is the stage of transition from individual to member status.

FORMING INCLUDES THESE FEELINGS: - Excitement, anticipation, and optimism - Pride in being chosen for the project - Initial, tentative attachment to the team - Suspicion, fear, and anxiety about the job ahead

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FormingSTAGE 1 OF TEAM GROWTH

ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE: - Attempts to define the task - Decisions on what information needs to be gathered - Discussions of issues not relevant to the task - Complaints about the company and barriers to the task

Because there is so much going on to distract members’ attention in the beginning, the team accomplishes little, if anything, that concerns its project goals. This is perfectly normal.

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StormingSTAGE 2 OF TEAM GROWTH

As team members start to realize the amount of work that lies ahead, it is normal for them to almost panic. Now they are like swimmers who have jumped into the water, think they are about to drown, and start thrashing about.

This is probably the most difficult time for the team. - Not much progress has been made - Members are still too inexperienced at problem solving and teamwork

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StormingSTAGE 2 OF TEAM GROWTH

STORMING INCLUDES THESE FEELINGS: - Resistance to the task and the problem solving methods - “Up and down” feelings about the team and the project’s chance of success

BEHAVIORS: - Arguing among members & “Choosing sides” - Establishing unrealistic goals - Questioning the wisdom of those who selected the project

Again, the team is not spending a lot of its effort on reaching the goal, but members are beginning to understand one another.

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NormingSTAGE 3 OF TEAM GROWTH

As team members get used to working together, their initial resistance fades away. They start helping each other stay afloat rather than competing with one another.

During this stage, the members start to accept the team, their roles in the team, and each other.

Emotional conflict is reduced.

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NormingSTAGE 3 OF TEAM GROWTH

NORMING INCLUDES THESE FEELINGS: - Feel free to express criticism - Members accept being part of the team - Relief that everything will probably go OK

BEHAVIORS: - More friendliness and sharing - Team “ground rules” and boundaries established (“norms”) - Team spirit evident

Members have begun to work out their differences, and therefore start making good progress.

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PerformingSTAGE 4 OF TEAM GROWTH

As team members become more comfortable with each other, and better understand the project, and what is expected of them, they become a more effective unit with everyone working in concert.

The team now begins to really “Perform” - determining causes and solving problems.

You can tell when your team has reached this stage because you start to get a lot of work done!!!

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Characteristics of a Well-Functioning Team

Rate the following factors in terms of their importance in maintaining a well functioning team. Use the scale:

A - Absolutely Critical E - Especially ImportantI - ImportantO - OrdinaryU - Unimportant

Characteristics of a Well-Functioning Team

___1. Everyone participates fully, as much as desired, and when desired.

___2. No domination by any member(s) or the leader. Leadership is non-authoritative.

___3. Members solicit input from others and listen attentively. Members encourage participation of others in the group.

___4. Final decisions are reached by consensus. Much time is spent in decision making to gain consensus. All team members support the decision. There is an eagerness to implement the recommendation.

___5. Decisions are based on measurable data as much as possible, not opinions. People change their minds when new data are presented.

Characteristics of a Well-Functioning Team

___6. The team goal is specifically defined and understood by all members. The goal reflects improvements over which the team has primary influence.

___7. Members agree to a process to be followed by the team for accomplishing its goals.

___8. All members work toward a single objective. Priorities are set by the team.

___9. Focus is on problem, not on protection of self interest.

___10. Ideas are challenged, not people. No criticism. No destructive conflict. Information is clarified.

Characteristics of a Well-Functioning Team

___11. Team atmosphere is fairly enjoyable, friendly.

___12. Agendas are established, shared with the group, and followed for every team meeting.

___13. Key input and decisions are visually displayed for all members to see throughout the team meeting.

___14. Necessary outside resources are identified and consulted.

___15. Responsibilities for analysis and implementation are shared equally.

___16. Team establishes means to measure implementation progress and results.

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Questions for Thought

• What will be the top five most important characteristics for your project team in this class?

• What steps can you take to ensure that these characteristics are maintained?