The development of a working group into a real team generally takes place in the following four phases: In the forming phase, the team is put together. The different characters of the group members crystallize through careful probing. The following conflict phase (Storming) brings different points of view and disagreements to light and thus establishes the pecking order. Once the disagreements have been resolved, we speak of the norming phase, in which the cohesion of the group is developed and strengthened by establishing the common rules of the game. As soon as each member of the group can carry out his or her work without restriction, the Performing phase is reached, which is the conclusion of the team development. If this sequence of phases is adhered to and each individual phase is passed through correctly, optimal teamwork is guaranteed. (Source: Kirchner/Pink, Mehrmann/Wirtz, Schneider: Lexicon on Team and Teamwork)