It is generally agreed that all groups go through the same stages of development. This has been called the team development process and cycle. The stages of group development are forming, storming, norming, performing, and termination. The forming stage, also known as the orientation stage, is characterized by a low development level.

When people first form a group, they tend to have moderate to high commitment to group membership. However, because they have not worked together, they often do not have the competence to do the job as a team. During forming, members have concerns about the structure, leadership, and objectives of the group. This stage is more characteristic of task groups that have clear beginnings.

During the forming stage, the appropriate management style is usually autocratic; that is, a manager tells group members what to do and how to do it and closely oversees their performance. Allow some time for group members to start to get to know one another.