Concepts
Whether you’re looking to become a Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) or you’re just keen to underpin your project management skills, understanding different models for team development is critical. This piece will focus on two such models: the Tuckman model and the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model, both of which inform an efficacious ScrumMaster practice.
1. Tuckman Model
Developed in the 1960s, the Tuckman model proposes four primary stages of group development: forming, storming, norming, and performing.
- Forming: In this stage, team members are usually polite, positive, and excited to be part of the project. As a ScrumMaster, facilitating an environment that promotes open communication and clarity on roles is crucial.
- Storming: This stage, typically characterized by conflicts and disputes, is inevitable, as team members attempt to express their individuality and influence the team direction. As a ScrumMaster, you play a mediator’s role, helping the team navigate through disagreements.
- Norming: In the norming stage, team members start to resolve their differences, appreciate each other’s strengths, and begin to work more cohesively. Here, a ScrumMaster should foster continuous improvement and direct the team towards shared goals.
- Performing: Finally, the team reaches a point where they work effectively without interruption. As a ScrumMaster, you should always ensure an environment of trust and mutual support keeps being reinforced in this stage.
Although not originally part of the model, a fifth stage, Adjourning, was later added. This covers the project or task completion and the team disassembly. A ScrumMaster should implement retrospective meetings to grasp learning points from this stage.
2. Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model
The Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance model illustrates team development as seven stages, presented in a curved line that suggests a climb towards peak performance and a descent to team disassembly or transformation.
- Orientation: Here, team members seek to understand why they are part of the team. A ScrumMaster can help guide the team to find purpose and build a shared vision.
- Trust Building: Trust is fundamental in a team environment. As a ScrumMaster, you can foster trust by promoting open and transparent communication.
- Goal Clarification: In the third stage, everyone realizes their roles and the team’s collective goals. A ScrumMaster must ensure alignment between individual and team goals.
- Commitment: Once everyone is clear about the goals, the team commits to the tasks ahead.
- Implementation: During this step, the team executes the task at hand.
- High Performance: At this point, the group becomes interdependent and resolves issues collaboratively and effectively.
- Renewal: In the final stage, the team takes time to evaluate their collective achievements and individual performances.
Comparison of Table Models
| Tuckman Model | Drexler/Sibbet Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of stages | 5 | 7 |
| Focuses on team’s | Psychological & developmental trajectory | Purpose, trust, roles, goals, implementation, performance & renewal |
| Ideal for | Established teams undergoing transitions or new teams | Teams seeking clarity on the purpose, renewing their strategies, and understanding their roles |
In conclusion, these two models provide a framework that CSP-SM candidates can use to understand team dynamics and navigate them towards successful operational hierarchies. As a ScrumMaster, knowing the right model to apply given the context could make all the difference between a high-performing team and an unsuccessful one.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: Tuckman’s stages of group development and the Drexler-Sibbet Team Performance Model are two distinct models for team development.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Tuckman’s model suggests that teams pass through 4 stages: forming, storming, norming, and performing. The Drexler-Sibbet model, however, uses 7 stages: orientation, trust building, goal clarification, commitment, implementation, high performance, and renewal.
In Tuckman’s model for team development, what is the first stage?
- A. Storming
- B. Performing
- C. Forming
- D. Norming
Answer: C. Forming
Explanation: In the “forming” stage of Tuckman’s model, team members are introduced, learn about the project and their roles, and start to work together.
True or False: The Agile model of team development suggests a linear progression of stages.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Unlike models such as Tuckman’s, Agile team development does not necessarily follow a linear progression. It is more about fostering a mindset and culture of continuous improvement.
What is the main difference between Tuckman’s and Drexler-Sibbet’s models of team development?
- A. The number of stages
- B. The focus on conflict resolution
- C. The need for strong leadership
- D. The duration of each stage
Answer: A. The number of stages
Explanation: Tuckman’s model includes four stages whereas the Drexler-Sibbet model includes seven stages, although both models emphasize the progression of a team towards higher performance through stages.
Multiple Select: The Drexler-Sibbet Team Performance Model includes which of the following stages?
- A. Orientation
- B. Trust Building
- C. Conflict Management
- D. High Performance
Answer: A. Orientation, B. Trust Building, D. High Performance.
Explanation: The Drexler-Sibbet model indeed includes stages of: orientation, trust building, and high performance. However, conflict management is not specifically designated as a unique stage.
True or False: In Tuckman’s stages of group development, the ‘norming’ stage is characterized by the resolution of conflicts.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In the ‘norming’ stage, team members start to resolve their conflicts, appreciate colleagues’ strengths, and respect your authority as a leader.
Which team development model includes stages of ‘Goal Clarification’ and ‘Commitment’?
- A. Agile model
- B. Tuckman’s model
- C. Drexler-Sibbet’s model
- D. None of the above
Answer: C. Drexler-Sibbet’s model
Explanation: The Drexler-Sibbet Team Performance Model includes stages of ‘Goal Clarification’ and ‘Commitment’.
True or False: ‘Storming’ in Tuckman’s model of team development refers to the stage when team members showcase their highest performance.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: ‘Storming’ in Tuckman’s model is when conflicts arise as team members express their individual perspectives and vie for influence in the team, not when they are at their highest performance.
Which model of team development believes the team should focus more on adaptation and less on progression through pre-determined stages?
- A. Agile model
- B. Tuckman’s model
- C. Drexler-Sibbet’s model
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. Agile model
Explanation: The Agile model of team development is focused more on achievable goals and less on achieving a specific stage.
Multiple Select: What are some key concepts in the Agile model of team development?
- A. Transparency
- B. Progression through stages
- C. Feedback and reflection
- D. Hierarchy and strong leadership
Answer: A. Transparency, C. Feedback and reflection
Explanation: The Agile model of team development emphasizes open communication with transparency and regular feedback and reflection for continuous improvement. It does not focus on a specific progression through stages or advocate for hierarchy and strong leadership.
I found the Tuckman’s model for team development particularly insightful. It covers forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning stages clearly.
Another great model is the Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model. It provides a detailed roadmap and focuses on both task and relationship aspects in the team.
Thanks for the insightful post!
While Tuckman’s model is popular, it lacks focus on changing team objectives. Any thoughts?
Excellent article, very helpful!
In my experience, Tuckman’s model remains somewhat rigid in dynamic environments. How do others manage this?
The Drexler/Sibbet model’s emphasis on trust building is crucial for team cohesion.
Appreciate the detailed comparison between the models!