Community Learning Development Resource 201 – 08
A MODEL OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT (Rowan 1986 )
SUMMARY
This analysis looks at the life-time of a group and the sequence of changes that can occur.
All groups go through similar processes – the manner and timing may vary
- Groups can get stuck at different stages
- Conflict is not only inevitable, but may desirable and essential to group growth.
The Model
| FORMING | Coming together and getting started
|
| STORMING | Honeymoon over, interpersonal conflicts, rivalry over power and structure – fight or flight |
| NORMING | Getting down to it, working relationships established, atmosphere clearer, issues dealt with, process and task separated |
| PERFORMING | Getting on with it, planning targets met or revised, relationships not a preoccupation, satisfaction in achievements |
| MOURNING | Closure, loss, flight behaviour by some minimising achievement, romanticising the past, looking ahead, commitment declines |
SUCCESSFUL TASK GROUP DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- The individuals must understand the group task or problem
- The individuals must be able to see how they can contribute towards the group task goals
- The individuals must be aware of the potential contributions of other individuals
- The individuals must be able to recognise and react positively to other group member concerns and problems
- The group must be able to make optimum use of the available group resources
- The group and members must have the capacity to learn from their experiences
- The group needs to have a shared understanding of its internal processes – communication, support, decision-making , etc.