Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlinePeopleMedium
A project manager is leading a diverse team composed of members from various departments, each with their own established work processes and priorities. This diversity often leads to misunderstandings, conflicting approaches, and delays in decision-making. To improve team efficiency and alignment, what is the MOST effective first step the project manager should take?
- AMandate a single, standardized process for all tasks across the entire project.
- BFacilitate a session for the team to collaboratively define and agree upon common working norms and communication protocols.
- CConduct individual meetings with each team member to understand their preferred working style and try to accommodate each one separately.
- DAssign a 'process owner' from each department to enforce their departmental standards on the project.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Facilitate a session for the team to collaboratively define and agree upon common working norms and communication protocols.
Facilitating a session for the team to collaboratively define common working norms and communication protocols, also known as establishing ground rules, is the most effective first step. It builds a shared understanding and commitment to how the diverse team will operate efficiently.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Mandating a single process without team input can lead to resistance and may not be optimal for all diverse tasks.
- C. Accommodating each preferred style separately is inefficient and will likely lead to further inconsistencies and misunderstandings within a diverse team.
- D. Assigning process owners to enforce departmental standards will exacerbate conflicts and prevent the formation of unified project processes.
Define Team Ground Rules (Collaborative Norms)
Establishing a set of behavioral expectations and operational guidelines that are developed and agreed upon by the entire project team.
- Promotes a cohesive and respectful team environment.
- Addresses communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
- Helps integrate diverse working styles into a unified approach.
Memory trick: Together, set the rules; don't just enforce old tools.