Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlinePeopleMedium
A project manager is leading a highly innovative research and development project. The team is composed of highly skilled scientists and engineers who are passionate about their individual areas of expertise but are reluctant to share early, incomplete findings due to fear of criticism or not being 'finished'. This siloed approach is hindering cross-pollination of ideas and delaying progress. What is the BEST action for the project manager to take?
- AIntroduce a reward system for team members who proactively share their findings with others.
- BImplement a mandatory weekly 'show-and-tell' session where each team member must present their current progress, regardless of completeness.
- CEmphasize to the team that sharing incomplete work is a sign of trust and a pathway to collective problem-solving, fostering a culture of psychological safety.
- DAssign a dedicated 'knowledge sharing' facilitator to collect and disseminate information between team members.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Emphasize to the team that sharing incomplete work is a sign of trust and a pathway to collective problem-solving, fostering a culture of psychological safety.
The core issue is a lack of psychological safety, leading to fear of criticism. While other options might facilitate sharing to some extent, directly addressing the underlying fear by fostering psychological safety and emphasizing the value of iterative sharing is the most effective long-term solution to empower the team to collaborate openly.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A reward system might incentivize sharing, but it doesn't necessarily build intrinsic trust or psychological safety, which are essential for true collaboration and innovation in an R&D context.
- B. Mandating sharing without addressing the underlying fear of criticism might lead to superficial presentations or increased anxiety, rather than genuine collaboration.
- D. A facilitator might help with information flow, but it doesn't solve the fundamental reluctance to share or build the necessary trust within the team.
Empower Team Members
Granting team members the authority, resources, and trust to make decisions, take ownership, and contribute their expertise to achieve project goals.
- Fosters ownership and accountability.
- Increases motivation and engagement.
- Leverages diverse skills and perspectives.
Memory trick: Trust opens the vault of ideas.