Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlinePeopleEasy
A project manager is initiating a new, highly visible project with a cross-functional team assembled from different departments. The team members have varied levels of experience and different expectations regarding individual contributions and decision-making authority. To ensure a smooth start and effective collaboration, what should the project manager establish FIRST with the team?
- AA comprehensive risk register identifying all potential project threats and opportunities.
- BClear team ground rules, including expectations for communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
- CIndividual performance objectives and metrics for each team member to ensure accountability.
- DA detailed project schedule with individual task assignments and deadlines.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Clear team ground rules, including expectations for communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Establishing clear team ground rules at the beginning is crucial for a newly formed, diverse team. It addresses potential ambiguities around communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution proactively, creating a shared understanding of 'how we work together' before diving into specific tasks and schedules.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A risk register is a project management tool, but it doesn't directly address the foundational need for team interaction norms and expectations.
- C. Individual performance objectives are important but should follow the establishment of how the team will collectively operate and make decisions.
- D. While important, a detailed schedule without established ground rules can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings regarding how tasks are performed and decisions are made.
Define Team Ground Rules
Establishing explicit expectations and norms for team behavior, communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution to foster a productive and respectful working environment.
- Created collaboratively by the team.
- Cover various aspects of team interaction.
- Help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.
- Promote a shared understanding of 'how we work'.
Memory trick: First, agree on how to agree, then get to work.