W1_Austin Iserhienrhien_Tuckman's Team Assessment

1.          Statement of the Problem         

At this point of team development when decisions don’t come easily within group, using Tuckman's model is posed with some problems which need to be resolved urgently. These problems include;

1.      To determine which of Tuckman’s stages is the AACE Preparatory Bistro 12 team as of now.

2.      To determine which leadership style is appropriate to achieving set objectives.

Tuckman's model explains that as the team develops through stages of Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning, it begins to attain maturity and ability, and the leader changes leadership style.

Tuckman’s model evaluation and analysis based on 32 questionnaires answered by team members as shown below:

·         Forming Stage       : 32

·         Storming Stage     : 28

·         Norming Stage      : 26

·         Performing Stage :  22 

 Based on the above, the team is currently in the Forming stage, with the highest score of 32.

2.                   Develop Feasible Alternatives Models

Several models exist for evaluating the operating stage of a team. These includes amongst others:

·                     Tuckman Forming Storming Norming and Performing model

·                     Hersey & Blanchard's situational leadership model

·                     Tannenbaum & Schmidt Continuum

3.                   Develop the outcomes for each alternative

·                     Tuckman's model explains that as the team develops maturity and ability, relationships establish, and the leader changes leadership style. Beginning with a directing style, moving through coaching, then participating, finishing delegating and almost detached. By understanding these stages leaders will be better prepared to detect what is going on and take appropriate action to help the team.

4.             Analysis and comparison of the alternatives

·                     The criteria are the possible leadership styles utilizing Tuckman's four stages of team development, when overlaid on the Hersey and Blanchard model of determining the appropriate team leadership styles, suggests four levels of leadership to support the four phases of team development.

·                     Forming             - Directing

·                     Storming           - Coaching

·                     Norming            - Supporting

·                     Performing        - Delegating

5.                   Selection of the acceptable criteria

·         Based on the assessment above, Bistro 12 is currently in the Forming stage characterized by independency, lack of clear team vision and direction, roles and responsibilities of team members and effective operational guidelines.

·         The leadership style to adopt here at this identified forming stage will be a visionary type of leader, who is able to give clear direction, provide structure and clear tasks to each team member. Be able to create an atmosphere of confidence and optimism.  The leader would show leadership by example by getting involved. The leader will be directing.

6.             Performance Monitoring & Post Evaluation of Result

·         The effectiveness of the team’s leadership will be evident as the project team matures, reflecting in the increased performance of the team in successive weeks.

·         The team's performance would also be measured as its moves along with the number of members who are “fired” or drop off voluntarily. The Bistro 12 team can only go far and meet its objectives if it is willing to go with others and not to go alone stressing the importance of team work.

7.             References:

1.         Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing:  Helping new teams perform effectively, quickly

Retrieved from: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_86.htm

2.         Forming – Storming – Norming – Perfroming

Retrieved from: http://www.teambuilding.co.uk/Forming_Storming_Norming_Performing.html

3.         Different leadership styles for different team development stages

Retrieved from: http://www.theindependent.co.zw/2012/05/31/different-leadership-styles-for-different-team-development-stages

4.         Leadership Style and Team Development Stages

http://www.pmcomplete.com/BPM/HTML/bpm03hv.asp

5.         Different Leadership styles for different team development stages

http://www.theindependent.co.zw/2012/05/31/different-leadership-styles-for-different-team-development-stage

6.         Tuckman, B. (1965). Bruce Tuckman forming storming norming performing team development model. Retrieved from Web site: http://www.businessballs.com/tuckmanformingstormingnormingperforming.htm

7.         Donald Clark Questionnaires, Retrieved from: http://www.lx.nhs.uk/kms/Trafford/Trafford%202006%20-%202007/PPI%20Forum%20South%20Manchester%20University%20Hospital/Donald%20Clark%27s%20Tuckman%20Questionnaire.pdf

8. Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership® model , Retrieved from:

http://gom.sagepub.com/content/4/4/418.short