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Team Development.
For years researchers have attempted to define predictable stages of behavior within group development. The 3 Stage model describes the 3 stages of group development in a circular fashion. This accounts for stages being experienced again and again during the life of the team, contributing to continuous group development. The self-managed team fits well into the 3 Stage model. It is critical for teams that manage and govern themselves to revisit and revise team defined processes, so that the team can adjust to changing dynamics within the team and the organization. The 3 stages of Formation, Development and Renewal are not just sequential stages of development, but parts of an evolving process of continuous improvement. .
The Formation stage consists of definition and adjustment. In the early phase of the Formation Stage, selected members are introduced and begin to define the purpose and overall process of team participation. This is a challenging time for the new team because the team processes defined during the formation stage will be the guidelines of team behavior for the life of the group. Some team members may know one another from prior work related activities or from outside the workplace, yet others may be developing all new relationships. Different individual learning styles, and various styles of participating in groups are being exposed to one another in the group. Diverse backgrounds and levels of experience play a part in defining each member's role in the team. While team members are learning about each other, developing relationships, and defining roles, they need to also focus on building the groups foundation. Developing a charter is the first group responsibility and critical to the groups success. The charter defines the purpose of the team, the team type, rule's for new member selection, resources needed to accomplish team goals, boundaries, team process, communication methods and conflict resolution procedures.
