When should a team debrief to assess outcomes?

The most appropriate time for a team to debrief and assess outcomes is during the Norming and Performing phases of team development. During the Norming phase, team members start to establish stronger relationships and resolve conflicts from the earlier Storming phase. This creates a conducive environment for reflection and assessment.

The Performing phase is characterized by high levels of collaboration and effectiveness, allowing teams to not only assess their outcomes but also to optimize their processes. Debriefing during these stages helps solidify learning and fosters continuous improvement, which is essential for maintaining high performance.

While debriefing can occur informally in other phases, it is particularly structured and beneficial during Norming and Performing when teams have enough experience and cohesion to provide meaningful feedback and insights. In early phases like Forming and Storming, teams are often still establishing their roles and dynamics, making it less effective to conduct thorough assessments.