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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Team formation, development and management

A newly formed team of six consists entirely of members whose strongest roles are Plant and Shaper. According to Belbin's research, which outcome is most likely?

Poor results are most likely. Belbin found balanced teams perform best. A team of only Plants and Shapers would produce ideas and pressure but suffer conflict and lack the practical implementation, finishing and harmony roles needed to deliver outcomes.

  1. AStrong results because ideas and drive are both abundant
  2. BPoor results because of conflict and a lack of implementation and finishing capabilityCorrect
  3. CStrong results because all members will adopt the Coordinator role as needed
  4. DPoor results only because the team lacks a Specialist

Explanation

Belbin found that balanced teams, covering the range of roles, outperform unbalanced ones. A team of Plants and Shapers would generate ideas and push hard but would clash and lack Implementers, Completer Finishers and Teamworkers to deliver and maintain harmony. The Specialist role is not the key gap here.

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