Department of Fish and Game

Integrated Resource Conservation Planning Program Policies

Conservation Partnership Stages

The following stages (adapted from Carew et al. 1990. Building High Performance Teams) usually occur in the following order, although different partnerships may cycle through 2 or 3 stages several times before moving on to the next stage. The transition stage may be followed by any of the other stages, depending on the magnitude of the transition.

Stage What can you expect?
Exploration, Formation 1. High morale, enthusiasm, and expectations
2. Unclear goals
3. Low Productivity
4. Partners with undeveloped skills
Reality Check 5. Feelings of frustration, competition, confusion
6. Low morale as initial hopes and expectations not met quickly enough
7. Slow increase in productivity, skills, and knowledge
8. Rise in negative feelings
Commitment, Maintenance 9. Improved morale and confidence as group finds better ways to work together
10. Noticeable increase in productivity, skills, and knowledge
11. Clearer or redefined goals
12. Fewer negative feelings
Peak Performance 13. Group has skills and knowledge to work well together and produce desired results
14. Stronger positive feelings and sense of accomplishments
Transition (New issues, participants, direction) 15. Feelings of loss, disorientation
16. Drop in morale
17. Group skills and knowledge no longer seem balanced
18. Negative feelings resurface