Which stage of team development is characterized by teams preparing for dissolution?

The stage of team development characterized by teams preparing for dissolution is the adjourning stage. During this phase, teams that have completed their objectives reflect on their accomplishments, celebrate successes, and begin to disband. It is a critical time for members to process their experiences, share feedback, and transition smoothly from collective work back to individual endeavors or new teams.

The importance of this stage lies in its focus on closure and recognition of what the team has achieved together. It also allows team members to address any unresolved matters and provides an opportunity for them to carry lessons learned into their next projects or roles. Acknowledging this phase can help maintain relationships and ensure that team members depart on positive terms.

The other stages—performing, norming, and forming—do not pertain to dissolution. Performing is when the team reaches its highest level of functioning and productivity, norming involves the establishment of norms and relationships, and forming is the initial stage where the team is brought together and begins to understand its objectives and structure. Each of these stages precedes the adjourning phase, focusing on establishing and enhancing team dynamics rather than concluding them.