Question 34 CEL01 - Chief Engineer - Limited

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation of Option A (Correct):** The "forming" stage, according to Tuckman's model of group development, is characterized by uncertainty, ambiguity, and a search for direction. Members are focused on identifying the group's purpose, understanding acceptable behaviors, and defining their roles. A designated leader provides the essential structure, guidance, and clarification needed to reduce anxiety and uncertainty during this initial stage. The leader can set the initial ground rules, clarify the task objectives, assign preliminary roles, and facilitate initial introductions, effectively helping the group transition smoothly out of the forming stage and into the subsequent stages. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **B) The group members should be widely differing in background regardless of the degree of complexity of the task.** While diversity is often beneficial for problem-solving (especially complex tasks), emphasizing wide differences *regardless* of the task complexity is not the primary facilitative action for the *forming* stage. High diversity can initially increase conflict and slow down the process of forming cohesion, which is counterproductive when structure and clarity are the immediate goals. * **C) The group should not have a designated leader to promote equality.** Removing a designated leader during the forming stage is detrimental. It exacerbates the initial ambiguity and lack of structure, increasing anxiety and hindering the group’s ability to define roles and purpose. While equality is a valuable long-term goal, a designated leader is necessary initially to establish norms and direction. * **D) The group members should be similar in background regardless of the degree of complexity of the task.** Homogeneity (similarity in background) might accelerate initial comfort and cohesion, but it often sacrifices creativity and comprehensive problem-solving capacity, especially for complex tasks. Like option B, the composition of the group is secondary to the immediate managerial need for structure and guidance during the forming stage. Providing a designated leader (structure) is the most critical managerial action here.