A project team analysis using Tuckman’s model of small-group development

Background: Concerns about equitable workloads for nursing faculty have been well documented, yet a standardized system for workload management does not exist. A project team was challenged to establish an academic workload management system when two dissimilar universities were consolidated. Method: Tuckman’s model of small-group development was used as the framework for the analysis of processes and effectiveness of a workload project team. Agendas, notes, and meeting minutes were used as the primary sources of information. Results: Analysis revealed the challenges the team encountered. Utilization of a team charter was an effective tool in guiding the team to become a highly productive group. Lessons learned from the analysis are discussed. Conclusion: Guiding a diverse group into a highly productive team is complex. The use of Tuckman’s model of small-group development provided a systematic mechanism to review and understand group processes and tasks.