“Design is not just what it looks and feels like.
Design is how it works.”
During the forming stage, team members tend to identify their commonalities and shared interests. This initial phase can create the illusion of a smooth and harmonious start for the team. Team members are often more inclined to be agreeable as they get to know one another.
During the Forming stage, it is crucial that all team members connect with other team mates and know each other’s names. The team activity of have each team member answer the question: If you really knew me, you would know <insert unique characteristic or trait>.
The forming stage provides the perfect opportunity to start using secrets of effective teams. For example, it is important to identify and agree upon team roles for each team member. If a team member has no assigned role, then the team must arrive at a new role by consensus. Each team member must have a defined role.
Also, if the team is going to use DRIs (Directly Responsible Individuals), then it is key to determine by consensus which team mates will be DRIs for which tasks and deliverables.
Given that team members are more likely to be agreeable in the Forming stage, if there are prickly issues, while there may be a tendency to put off those prickly issues until later, in fact, if these prickly issues need to be addressed before a team reaches the last milestone of high performance, then the Forming stage is the next best choice.
Furthermore, while in the forming stage, there should be discussion of the four milestones of team development: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing. This is crucial because during the Forming stage, team members are often more likely to be agreeable, but this will likely not last. So the Forming stage provides an opportunity to set realistic expectations for the team journey.