My Reading on ASQ CQA HB Part III

Part IIIF2
3. Stages Of Team Development
Teams are said to progress through a development cycle. The development stages are identified as forming,
storming, norming, and performing The stages were developed for cross- functional teams with a specific
purpose and the long- term project team, but they can also be used for the audit team, which is ad hoc. Figure
15.1 demonstrates the usual progression of a team developmental cycle.
1. Forming: The team is first organized and members are welcomed. There is a certain amount of distrust,
and team members push their own ideas. This is the time the team gets organized (purpose, team
member roles, objectives, and so on).
2. Storming: Storming is related to rushing around, attacking, and moving impetuously. Individual team
members attempt to win over others to support their view or to test authority or the legitimacy of the team.
As the team members start to interact and the responsibility they have been given sinks in, they may
become testy to see if management is committed and if management supports the team and its objectives.
3. Norming: Although norming is not a word, the intent is that members start accepting the team rules and
guidelines and start cooperating. Accepting would be a good word to replace norming.
4. Performing: The team is cohesive and has worked out team issues. The members trust each other and
build on team member strengths. The team has matured, has worked through the individual and turf
issues, and is able to achieve objectives. If the basis for the team (goals, support, and purpose) changes,
the team dynamics can slide back to forming or storming.
Most audit teams start at the performing stage. Part of the reason for training and providing competent auditors
is that teams can be formed as needed to conduct an audit. Auditors have been trained and understand the
need to work together to achieve the audit objectives from the very beginning. Plus, auditors spend much of
their time operating independently of the team, and the duration of audit team activities and interaction is short.
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang