Adjourning

Definition

Adjourning is the final stage in team development where the project team disbands after achieving its objectives. This phase involves reflection on accomplishments, recognition of individual contributions, and the closing of relationships formed during the project. It's important as it allows team members to process their experiences and prepares them for future collaborations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adjourning is recognized as the fifth stage in Tuckman's model of team development, following forming, storming, norming, and performing.
2. During adjourning, teams often conduct evaluations to assess their successes and areas for improvement, ensuring valuable lessons are learned.
3. This phase can evoke mixed feelings, such as satisfaction from achieving goals or sadness from leaving a collaborative environment.
4. Effective adjourning helps solidify team bonds and encourages members to take pride in their collective achievements.
5. Transitioning out of a project during this stage prepares team members for future projects by helping them understand their contributions and areas of growth.

Review Questions

• What are the key activities that typically occur during the adjourning stage of team development?
  • During the adjourning stage, key activities include reflecting on the project outcomes, evaluating individual contributions, and recognizing team members' efforts. Teams may also celebrate successes through ceremonies or informal gatherings. This phase provides an opportunity for members to express their feelings about the project's completion and discuss how they can apply lessons learned to future collaborations.
• How does effective adjourning contribute to a team's overall success in future projects?
  • Effective adjourning fosters a positive closure that allows team members to acknowledge their achievements and build confidence in their skills. By evaluating successes and challenges openly, teams create a culture of continuous improvement. This reflection process not only solidifies relationships but also equips members with insights that enhance teamwork in future projects, making them more cohesive and effective.
• Evaluate the impact of poor adjourning on team dynamics and individual member experiences.
  • Poor adjourning can lead to unresolved conflicts, lack of closure, and feelings of dissatisfaction among team members. If individuals do not have a chance to reflect on their contributions or celebrate achievements, they may feel undervalued or disconnected. This negative experience can hinder collaboration in future projects as it may create apprehension about forming new teams, ultimately affecting overall productivity and morale.

Related terms

Forming: The initial stage of team development where members come together, establish relationships, and define roles.

Storming: The phase where team members confront conflicts and challenges as they work through differences in opinions and working styles.

Norming: The stage where the team establishes norms and cohesion as they work collaboratively toward their goals.