During which stage of development should team roles and responsibilities be clearly delineated?

The Forming stage is where team members come together and start to get to know each other, establishing initial relationships and beginning to understand the group's objectives. During this stage, it is crucial to clearly delineate roles and responsibilities, as it sets the foundation for effective teamwork. By defining roles early on, team members can establish expectations, minimize confusion, and promote a sense of accountability, which is vital for building trust and collaboration among the team. This clarity can help to prevent misunderstandings that may arise later in the group's development and can pave the way for a smoother transition into subsequent stages, where the focus may shift more to collaboration and conflict resolution.

In the subsequent stages like Storming, Norming, and Performing, while roles might still be discussed or adjusted, the focus typically shifts more toward addressing interpersonal dynamics, building cohesion, and achieving team objectives rather than defining roles. Thus, the importance of delineating roles primarily lies in the initial phase of team development.