According to the PMBOK® Guide and the Tuckman Ladder model of team development, teams go through a predictable series of stages as they grow, face challenges, and deliver results.

Norming: This stage is characterized by team members beginning to work together, building trust, and adjusting their work habits and behaviors to support the team. During this phase, team members resolve their differences, appreciate colleagues ' strengths, and respect the authority of the leader. The team develops a sense of cohesion and a common goal.

Focus on Collaboration: In the Norming stage, communication becomes more open and constructive. The team establishes " norms " (internal rules and expectations) for how they will function, which leads to increased productivity compared to previous stages.

Why other options are incorrect:

Option A: Forming: This is the initial stage where the team meets and learns about the project and their formal roles. Team members tend to be independent and not very open. Trust has not yet been established.

Option C: Storming: In this stage, the team begins to address the work, but there is often conflict or competition as individual personalities and work styles clash. If the team cannot resolve these conflicts, they remain stuck in this stage.

Option D: Performing: Teams that reach this stage function as a well-organized unit. They are interdependent and work through issues smoothly and effectively. In " Performing, " the focus is on over-achieving goals rather than the " habit-adjusting " and " trust-building " found in Norming.