The principles of effective team and project management are formed over five different phases. Each phase has its own added value in the overall project management process. Take a closer look at the five phases of the reflective cycle of effective project management.
Caproni (2005) calls this the ‘team life cycle’. In fact it shows a strong resemblance to the personal learning cycle. Going through the team life cycle effectively indeed requires a learning process form unaware competency to aware competencies. However, the responsibility for this learning cycle is now in the hands of the whole group.
1. Forming
In the forming stage, there is a group, but not a team;
2. Storming
In the storming phase issues of control are being settled through discussion and dissent - the team starts to develop;
3. Norming
In the norming stage individual relationships and norms are being established – consolidating the team;
4. Performing
In the performing stages the team reaches maturity and becomes self-directed or self-actualising - the group has become an effective team;
5. Adjourning
In the adjourning stage with successful teams the project has been accomplished (or the team has failed) - the team can be disbanded (the so called mourning team) or rejuvenated for a new assignment.
Each of these stages create specific challenges to the group and the individual group members. Effective teams, thus, “promote the personal growth needs and well-being of team members’ (Caproni, 2005: 343).
Skill Sheets project and team management
The eight Skill Sheets about Team and project management address real-life, practical questions and problems that you may face in your academic career. Each Skill Sheet provides you with advice and guidance on a specific area and gives you tips to improve your team and project management skills.
This table tells you which Skill Sheet to go to for a specific area.