Case Study – Building a Coalition

Group Development
Stages of group development:
Forming: The group is just created, everything is new, and people just get to know each other. Strong leadership is the key as people might be hesitant to voice their opinion at this stage. Limits are tested – what can and can’t be done and said.
Storming: At this stage, team members already know each other. Everyone knows each other opinions and stands. Everyone sees differences between team members and is not afraid to argue and disagree. Unofficial leaders are being identified at this point as well as followers. Most of the conflicts arise at this stage.
Norming: This is the stage when rules are established and most of the differences settled in some sort of the compromise. Each team member finds his role within the team and leader takes less of an active position so the team can work together.
Performing: At this stage, motivation is at its peak as team members have the common sense of purpose and direction. Everyone learned how to work together as a team, who is better at performing with tasks and what to do when somebody is falling behind. Leadership takes more of the delegating role.
Adjourning: This stage takes place after the project completed. Team members often want to know where to go from here and what is the next goal or project.
The stage described in the study is the forming stage of the team development. Not all the group members are identified, not everyone knows each other. People are uncertain on how to proceed and how to communicate with each other.
Based on description of the future potential team members and different organizations involved in the project, The Woodson Foundation should expect quite dramatic storming stage for the future team. The knowledge of the team development stages will help Woodson to recognize why conflicts arise and how to