Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content OutlinePeopleHard
During a project's execution phase, a project manager notices a significant decrease in collaboration and information sharing among team members, despite previous efforts to foster teamwork. Individual team members are excelling, but overall project progress is slowing due to a lack of integration. What is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
- ALack of individual incentives for team members to collaborate.
- BInsufficient technical skills among team members, leading to siloed work.
- CAbsence of a shared vision or understanding of how individual contributions fit into the larger project goal.
- DOver-reliance on virtual communication tools, limiting organic interactions.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Absence of a shared vision or understanding of how individual contributions fit into the larger project goal.
Even if individuals are skilled and motivated, a lack of understanding of how their work contributes to the bigger picture can lead to siloed efforts. A shared vision ensures that individual successes translate into collective project success, driving collaboration and integration.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While incentives can help, the problem describes a lack of collaboration despite individual excellence, suggesting a deeper issue than motivation.
- B. The stem states individual team members are 'excelling,' which contradicts a lack of technical skills as the primary cause.
- D. While virtual tools can sometimes limit organic interaction, the core problem is a lack of understanding of interconnectedness, not just the medium of communication.
Build Shared Vision
The process of aligning team members' understanding of the project's ultimate purpose, goals, and how their individual efforts contribute to the collective success.
- Crucial for team cohesion and direction.
- Ensures alignment of individual efforts.
- Motivates collaboration and problem-solving.
Memory trick: Without the map, each explorer finds their own treasure, but the expedition fails.