In Tuckman’s model of group development, which stage follows storming and involves establishing norms?

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

Answer: (C)

Understanding group development in this model, the key idea is what happens after the initial push-and-pull of conflict and power struggles: the team starts to settle into shared ways of working. After the storming phase, teams move into a stage where members begin to establish and agree on the norms that will guide their behavior, communication, and how decisions are made.

This is the norming stage. Here, trust grows as roles become clearer, expectations are aligned, and a sense of cohesion emerges. The group tests and then accepts agreed-upon norms for collaboration, which reduces ambiguity and enables smoother coordination.

Forming comes first, focused on orientation and getting acquainted. Storming follows, centered on conflicts and clarifying authority. Performing comes later, when the established norms and strong cohesion enable high-level work and productivity. The sequence and the emphasis on establishing norms make this stage the norming phase.