Introduction
Teamwork is essential to the smooth running of many projects, organisations and companies. Much research has been conducted into the effectiveness of teams and their contributions to organisational success.
This essay considers one particular team consisting of two student nurses (members A and B) and 4 student radiographers (members C, D, E, and F), all 3rd year degree-level, whose task was to produce a poster for assessment over a one week period.
Theory and models of teamwork will be used to discuss all aspects of this team including team roles, communication, conflict and decision-making. Conclusions will then be drawn as to how the team could have been more effective in their completion of the task.
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Research has shown that teamwork increases efficiency (Thylefors et al, 2005 in Newson, 2006). A team can pool knowledge and skills and, if well motivated, create energy increasing a team’s efficiency beyond that of the individuals.
Modern views on teamwork also consider the satisfaction of the workforce by becoming more autonomous and reducing hierarchical structures (Ovretveit et al, 1997).
5 Team Development
The most commonly used model to discuss team development is Tuckman’s (1965) (in Huczynski & Buchanan, 2001) forming, storming, norming and performing model. However, the team concerned more closely followed the Cog’s ladder model (see appendix 1. for full description) (Walton, 1984).
1. Polite stage (day 1)
The initial introductions of the team members took place during a coffee break, however, the task was not clearly discussed at this stage and so roles were not yet defined. The members worked at a distance from each other to complete a treasure hunt task.
2. Why are we here? (day 2)
The goals were established and two subgroups (student nurses, A and B and student radiographers, C, D, E and F) emerged.
3. Bid for power (day 2/3)
Conflict and rivalry within the group prevailed. At this stage two members of the group, A and C, became identifiable as leaders.
4. Constructive phase (day 3/4)
The team did eventually reach this stage with activities being divided amongst members and all members participating.
Importance of teamwork is that when a team works well together they tend to understand their team members strengths and weaknesses. Strong teamwork can benefit from the team members and I say this because they become more capable at splitting up tasks so that they are accomplished by the members of the team that are more highly qualified. If businesses didn’t have strong teamwork within their business, it could make everything a lot harder for managers of the business to settle certain staff members, whom can fulfil tasks at their incomparable standard.
It is essential to have teamwork within a company. Companies who have embraced the concept of teamwork have reported increased performance in work production, problem solving and it has stimulated new growth. This group project approach has improved employee morale and increased input when managed correctly. The benefits of teamwork can make a positive effect in the company that incorporates this type of teamwork approach.
In today’s complex and ever changing environment, organization continue to experiment with new forms of team development. Some of the most successful teams bring together employees with different talents and perspectives. In this research report, my aim is to have a clear and deep research on teamwork and how it affects businesses so that I can help Tina and Frank who is coming back from overseas to start their own business. Before could anybody start their business, it is very important to learn certain aspects. Team work is one among them. I have included some of the important information I collected through my research in order to help Tina and Frank succeed in their business.
The five stages of group/team development are: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. In the forming stage, the group members get aquainted with one another and figure out what the goals of the group are. In the storming stage, individual personalities within the group emerge and group members start to figure out what their roles will be. In the norming stage, the group begins to find unity and group members resolve their differences. In the performing stage, the group members solve problems and focus on completing their assigned task. In the adjourning stage, the group begins to disband and the members transition out and into other projects.
Teamwork is important in industries like aviation to ensure flights land safely, the military uses it to protect the country, finance professionals need to practice it to keep the nation’s economy running smoothly, the auto racing unit teamwork is essential to change all 4 tires by a team. Overall, in any industry that requires reliable human performance, teamwork is a necessity.
As Wheelan (2013) explains, it is the team leader’s responsibility during stage one to establish defined goals and to identify specific team member roles and how they will contribute to the overall plan. This error on my part led to confusion, frustration, and unfortunately the departure of some of the youth volunteers, as they did not feel that the value of their input was considered nor was a clear picture of what our purpose was explained.
The features of effective team performance are set out in Brian Tuckman’s phases of team development theory, ‘Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing.’ This outlines the phases that a team will go through in order to become effective and reach maturity. At the ‘Forming’ stage of team development individual roles and responsibilities are unclear and each member of the team is concerned to avoid conflict with each other. From this point the team will go through the ‘Storming’ phase which is when they start to conflict as individuals put forward ideas which will be challenged by others in a bid to gain power and position over others. After this the ‘Norming’ phase follows and it is at this point that individual roles are defined and accepted
In this paper I will discuss how a team leader assesses how big the team is needed in order to accomplish the task assigned to them. This paper will also discuss the how conflicts can arise while trying to meet their goals. Such as which person works better in certain areas. I will also talk about how a team leader resolves their problems that may accure. In addition I will also discuss if team work will take longer to complete task along with some of its advantages. I will also point out some of the resistors to team work like not have the proper tools or supplies. I will also discuss how to be proactive so
Ivancevich, Konopaske and Matteson (2008) mirror these views by holding on to the concept that the use of team work in the organization forcefully follows the structured schema of identifying true leaders within the organizational structure, facilitating the emotional commitment of such leaders and evaluating the progress of the teams by using a mix of people from different levels and departments in the organization. The efficiency of the coalition leads to improved performance for both short term and long-term goals.
There are many theories on the ways that group form and become efficient and effective teams. One of the best-known team development theories was first developed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965 and has formed the basis of many further ideas since its conception.
Over the past two decades, it seems that teamwork has become increasingly important and more companies have formed different teams and groups for various purposes (Samson & Daft, 2012). It is proved that good teams can be highly productive, however, not every team is successful (Samson & Daft, 2012). Forming a team can be time consuming and there are many problems related to teamwork, for example, social loafing might reduce the effectiveness of a team. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to develop a good team with less time and less effort. Bruce Tuckman in 1965 developed the popular model for effective team building. This model identifies four stages of team building which are forming, storming, norming and performing (Tuckman, 1965). Later on, Tuckman added a fifth stage: adjourning to the model (Samson & Daft, 2012). The five-stage team development model provides a guideline on how team works by using simple and easily understandable words. However, there are some limitations of this theory as well. This paper in the following will discuss both the utility and the limitations of Tuckman’s team development stage model. Then it will provide some suggestions based on the limitations of the model.
Work Team development is a dynamic and often difficult process. Most teams find themselves in a continuos state of change and development. Eventhough, most teams never reach full stability, there is a general pattern that describes how most teams evolve. There are five stages of team development, the first stage is forming. In this stage there is a great deal of uncertainty about the teams purpose, structure and leadership. Members are testing the the waters to determine what types of behaviors are acceptable. This stage is complete when members began to think of themselves as part of the team. The second stage is called storming. In this stage there is much intragroup conflict.Team members accept the existence of the team, but there is resistance to the control that the team imposes on individuality. Conflict can arise from numerous sources within the team setting but generally falls into three categories:communication, factors, structural factors and personal factors (Varney, 1989/Townsley). In addition, there is conflict over who will control the team.
Teamwork is the backbone of effective communication and the crucial cog that keeps the wheel of successful project management turning. The role of teamwork in enhancing problem solving skills, cohesion, learning, and productivity can no longer be ignored. Proper teamwork plays an integral role in promoting the effective implementation and fulfillment of shared goals in a team project in a manner that is better and quicker. Team work also provides a solid platform on which team members can take on different responsibilities and contribute in ways that together makes the entire team an effective unit.
Every decision made within the group becomes a team effort with the goal of producing maximum results.
A team is a group of people working together to achieve the same objectives. Katzenbach and Smith state in their report The Discipline of Teams (1993) that ‘the essence of a team is common commitment. Without it, groups perform as individuals; with it, they become a powerful unit of collective performance.’ Throughout this study, I will analyse the many different advantages and disadvantages of working in teams and its effects on team members and their performance and commitment within the team. I will consider many different aspects of team work and refer to certain established theories in