Lesson Summary. Let's review. Developed by Bruce Tuckman in 1977, the adjourning stage is the fifth, and final, stage of group development that occurs when a group wraps up its work and then dissolves. At this time, it is important for members of the team to get appropriate closure as well as recognition for the work they accomplished.
At this stage it is important to achieve closure for the group on a positive note. Group members may feel a sense of loss and their motivation may decline when the group's work comes to an end. Some observers have even called this the mourning stage of group development.
The 5-stage model reveals what happens from the time a newly formed group gets acquainted until the members become united in their pursuit of a commonly accepted goal. The group becomes better able to achieve the desired results as it moves through the stages.
The Adjourning Stage of Group Development. If a group has fulfilled its goals and objectives, it will move into the adjourning stage. This may happen rather quickly for a project-specific team. On the other hand, permanent groups can function for a long time without moving into the adjourning stage.
Some observers have even called this the mourning stage of group development. It is, therefore, important to recognize the group members for their accomplishments and celebrate the group's overall success.
In 1965, psychologist Bruce Tuckman proposed his original model of group development. This model suggests that groups and teams move through a series of stages in order to achieve their peak level of performance. The first four stages of the model are: Forming (orientation and ice-breaking)
Some observers caution that the group development process is not as clear-cut and linear as Tu ckman describes. Groups may cycle back and forth between different stages, and at times, group behavior may not clearly fit the model. However, models aren't intended to exactly replicate what happens in the real world.