Group development with GDQ
The effectiveness and performance of a work group depend on many factors, including the stage of development the group is in. To create sustainable, high-performing teams, it is essential to understand both the group dynamics and the challenges that can arise at different stages of development.
By assessing and analyzing the group’s development stage, we provide actionable insights and tools that strengthen collaboration, improve efficiency, and enhance overall team performance. Our goal is to help teams not only function effectively but also grow and develop together.
At Zondera, we offer tailored group development based on Susan Wheelan’s Group Development Questionnaire (GDQ) model.
Why GDQ?
GDQ provides teams with the insights and tools they need to grow and perform at their best. Through a structured approach, you can see where your team stands today and identify the steps needed to reach the next level.
With GDQ, you get:
- A clear picture of how your team is functioning right now.
- Practical advice on how to take the next step.
- Support to build better collaboration and more joy at work.
GDQ makes it easy to develop a group into a strong, efficient, and high-performing team!
Group evaluation through GDQ
The foundation is that a team goes through four stages of development: Belonging and Safety, Opposition and Conflict, Trust and Structure, and Efficiency and Productivity.
A team is at its most productive in the fourth stage.
Research shows that 80% of all teams that reach this final stage have received some form of support or guidance during their development.
The target group for the program is groups / teams that are in need of development to reach its full potential.
Course in Group Development with GDQ
We offer a customized GDQ course for groups/teams that need development to reach their full potential!
Do you want to take your collaboration to the next level? In our GDQ course, you will gain a clear, research-based understanding of how your group functions today. You will also receive a concrete plan to take the next step together.
We make both individual strengths and shared challenges visible and turn these insights into an actionable plan that strengthens collaboration, increases efficiency, and creates more joy at work.
The course is led by Zondera’s certified organizational consultants and accredited facilitators.
The GDQ Process
Developing a team is about understanding where it currently stands and what steps are needed to achieve better collaboration and higher performance. GDQ (Group Development Questionnaire) is a tool that helps you identify your team’s stage of development and provides concrete insights to grow together.
The steps in the process:
Current state analysis – Map the team’s strengths and development areas.
Phase identification – Identify which stage of development the team is in (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing).
Development initiatives – Training, coaching, and support to strengthen collaboration and effectiveness.
Involvement – Engage the entire team in the development process.
Follow-up and evaluation – Ensure that improvements are sustainable over time.
With GDQ, you gain a clear picture of your team’s current state and a concrete plan for how you can grow together and reach your full potential.
Susan Wheelan and the GDQ Model
Susan A. Wheelan was an American psychologist and researcher who dedicated much of her work to understanding how groups function and develop over time. She developed the evidence-based GDQ (Group Development Questionnaire) model, grounded in more than 30 years of research on group dynamics.
According to Wheelan, groups progress through different stages of development — from dependency and inclusion, through conflict and structure, to becoming more effective and high-performing teams. GDQ is used to identify where a group is in its development and what actions will best support its next step forward.
Tailored Group Development with GDQ
At Zondera, we design and deliver customized group development programs grounded in Susan Wheelan’s GDQ model. Our approach begins with mapping the group’s current stage of development, which provides a clear picture of strengths, challenges, and underlying dynamics. Based on these insights, we create interventions that address specific needs—whether it’s building trust, managing conflict, clarifying roles, or enhancing collaboration.
The goal is to equip teams with practical tools and shared understanding that foster stronger relationships, more effective communication, and greater alignment around common goals. In doing so, we support groups in moving toward higher levels of productivity and long-term success.
