Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlinePeopleMedium
A project manager is overseeing a project with a newly formed team. The team members are highly skilled individually but are struggling to work together effectively, leading to duplicated efforts and missed handoffs. What is the MOST crucial initial action for the project manager to take to lead this team effectively?
- AFacilitate a team-building workshop focused on developing a shared vision and clear roles.
- BReplace team members who are not immediately collaborating effectively.
- CSet individual performance targets for each team member to encourage accountability.
- DImplement a strict daily reporting structure to monitor individual progress closely.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Facilitate a team-building workshop focused on developing a shared vision and clear roles.
For a newly formed team struggling with collaboration, facilitating a team-building workshop to develop a shared vision and clarify roles is crucial. This helps establish a common purpose, defines how individuals contribute to the collective goal, and clarifies responsibilities, which are foundational for effective teamwork.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Replacing team members is a drastic and premature action that does not address the systemic issues of team formation and collaboration, and can damage morale.
- C. Focusing solely on individual performance targets can inadvertently discourage collaboration and emphasize competition rather than teamwork.
- D. Strict daily reporting monitors progress but does not inherently foster collaboration or address the underlying issues of unclear roles and lack of shared vision.
Lead a Team
Guiding, motivating, and supporting project team members to work cohesively and perform effectively towards achieving project objectives.
- Involves setting vision, clarifying roles, and fostering communication.
- Requires effective conflict resolution and decision-making.
- Aims to maximize team potential and productivity.
Memory trick: Vision and roles, make the team whole.