The 5 Phases of (virtual) Group Development
Dedicating time to virtual group development – is that really necessary?
If you’ve ever come together with other people regardless of the reason, you’ll probably know one or more of the 5 phases in group development according to B.W. Tuckman*.
Whenever people get together, a certain dynamic occurs. Regardless whether it’s a christening, football game, workshop or virtual meeting.
The 5 Phases of Group Development according to B.W.Tuckman
It starts as soon as a group of people gets together. Depending on the degree of familiarity, most people behave politely and somewhat superficially at the beginning of the encounter. They look for things they have in common. À la “Why exactly am I here? Who are the others here today? Do they have similar issues as me?“
Tuckman calls this 1st phase the “Forming” phase. Obviously, a group has to FORM.
This takes place face-2-face same as virtually.
Except that, while we introduce ourselves to the others in the seminar room or at the coffee machine, hold the door open for each other and give a friendly nod and shyly (or resolutely) ask in the circle of chairs “Is this seat taken?” all of these very first steps in group development don’t take place in the virtual room.
This is why we have to include these steps consciously in our workshop or seminar design.
In the forming phase, the group is heavily dependent on appropriate leadership, onsite as well. Even more so online, because without the right guidance, nothing happens here.
5 Tips for the Forming Phase
- Start with a Warm-Up
Regardless of whether your participants already know each other or not: always start with a warm-up so that the group can tune into each other a bit (and at the same time arrive in the virtual room and feel comfortable.)
Possible exercises here could be: the participants introduce themselves using a key ring (for small groups of 10 people who don’t know each other very well yet.)
Or do sticky note statistics (also suitable for larger groups and little time.) All participants hold a sticky note to the camera and remove it when something is true for them. For example: “Who’s had more than 2 cups of coffee today? Who’s from Vienna?” etc. This results in a beautiful, colorful picture and gives the participants a first impression of the other participants.
2. Send your participants into Break Out Rooms
Especially for larger groups, but also in general, we recommend that you periodically send your groups to short break out sessions. Tasks can be solved in small groups and one can get to know each other more easily. Advantage: it’s much easier for shy people to enter the conversation. Non-performers are challenged differently because they get more attention in the small group.
3. Use your video conference tool’s functions as well as external tools to visualise responses.
It’s always advisable to visualise the results from group work or warm-ups. For example via virtual pinboards/whiteboards such as PADLET or miro. In the picture that follows you see a PADLET we used to sum up the results of a break out session on the topic “Find three similarities.”
Alternatively, of course you can also always work with the functions of your video conference tool: e.g. with the chat or comment functions (if available; not all tools offer these.)
4. Offer your participants structure and orientation
As already mentioned, “Forming” is the phase during which participants need the most guidance. After the warm-up, give them the orientation they require, talk about goals and non–goals of the virtual meeting and present the agenda.
Defining non-goals may sound strange at first, however, it hones down the goals and creates clarity with regard to the goals for everyone involved. Moreover, it helps with “Expectation Management”– your participants then know what to expect during the (online) meeting/seminar/workshop and what not.
- Explain the Tech
Take a short look at the tech involved and explain how the participants can get involved. Even after a year of online communication, this point should never be underestimated. People use different tools in their respective professions and while you may be a ZOOM pro by now, others may be more familiar with MS Teams or Webex.
On top of that, the tools undergo regular updates, which means that buttons migrate from left to right, functions are adapted, etc.
Group dynamics in project teams
Group dynamics plays a role in all forms of gatherings – but it is particularly important for project teams because these do not meet for a specific workshop or seminar and then never see each other again; on the contrary, they are expected to work together successfully for several years in succession. When project teams get together for the first time, e.g. during a kick-off meeting, it’s crucial to address the respective group dynamic phases.
At BusinessMind, we’ve been doing this from the day BusinessMind was founded (read all about it, for example the kick-off meetings for the WWF projects Fish Forward and Fish Forward II). Online, we offer this as part of #FacilitateForFuture.
In the coming weeks we’ll introduce you to the next four phases of group dynamics: Storming, Norming, Performingand Adjourning. And we’ll have plenty more tips and methods ready for you!
Until then, happy Easter and enjoy some days off!
Best wishes,
your BusinessMind Team
* The U.S. psychologist Bruce Wayne Tuckman (1938-2016) became known for his research on group dynamics. As early as 1965, he published “Tuckmans’ stages of group development”, although at that time he only listed four stages. He only added the 5th phase (“adjourning”) in 1977. Depending on the scientific background, we also speak of only three phases: Dependency, Counterdependency and Interdependency. These terms in turn go back to Warren Bennis (1925-2014, U.S. economist).
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