Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Practice Test

During which phase of team development do members assess strengths and weaknesses?

1. Forming

2. Storming

3. Norming

4. Performing

The correct answer is: Storming

The phase in team development where members assess strengths and weaknesses is the Storming phase. During this stage, team members confront various issues, which often includes delving into individual capabilities and identifying areas where team dynamics can be improved. This is a critical time when conflicts may arise due to differences in opinions, work styles, and interpersonal relationships. As members navigate these challenges, there is typically an emphasis on recognizing both personal and collective strengths and weaknesses, which allows the team to establish a more harmonious working environment as they progress. The other phases, such as Forming, involve team members coming together and getting to know each other, but they do not typically engage in deep assessment of strengths and weaknesses. The Norming phase follows, focusing on establishing norms and cohesiveness, which is based on previous assessments but not directly during that stage. The Performing phase represents a time of high-functioning collaboration where members are working effectively towards their goals, often building on the assessments made in earlier stages, but by that point, the team is well past the initial evaluation of strengths and weaknesses.