Which stage involves establishing shared norms and ways of working?

Which stage involves establishing shared norms and ways of working?

• A. Norming
• B. Forming
• C. Storming
• D. Performing

Answer: (A)

In the norming stage, the team moves past initial uncertainties and begins to align on how they will operate together. They settle on shared norms—unwritten rules for communication, collaboration, and decision-making—and define how tasks are approached, how meetings run, who leads when, and how feedback is given. This common framework reduces friction, builds trust, and strengthens cohesion as everyone starts to coordinate their efforts more effectively. Once these norms are established, the team can move toward performing, where work flows more smoothly and goals are pursued with greater efficiency. For contrast, forming is about getting oriented and testing boundaries, while storming involves conflicts as roles and processes are challenged, and performing is the phase of high productivity.

In the norming stage, the team moves past initial uncertainties and begins to align on how they will operate together. They settle on shared norms—unwritten rules for communication, collaboration, and decision-making—and define how tasks are approached, how meetings run, who leads when, and how feedback is given. This common framework reduces friction, builds trust, and strengthens cohesion as everyone starts to coordinate their efforts more effectively. Once these norms are established, the team can move toward performing, where work flows more smoothly and goals are pursued with greater efficiency. For contrast, forming is about getting oriented and testing boundaries, while storming involves conflicts as roles and processes are challenged, and performing is the phase of high productivity.