Domain People : Task 6: Build a Team
Task 6 Build a team
Appraise stakeholder skills
Deduce project resource requirements
Continuously assess and refresh team skills to meet project needs
Maintain team and knowledge transfer
Building a Team: A Critical Task for Project Managers
In the People domain of the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, one of the pivotal tasks is to build a team. This task, encapsulated within the broader scope of project management, is about continuously assessing and refreshing team skills to meet project objectives and facilitate effective knowledge transfer.
Understanding the Essence of Team Building
Team building in project management is a continuous and dynamic process. It involves various aspects of development, from understanding Tuckman’s stages of team development to leadership and conflict management. The essence of team building lies in creating a collaborative project team environment and engaging with stakeholders effectively.
Subtasks in Team Building
Building a team involves several subtasks, each playing a crucial role in ensuring that the team is well-equipped and cohesive:
- Identifying Project Resource Requirements: The first step involves determining the kind and quantity of resources needed, including human resources, tools, and equipment. This task often requires reviewing project charters, contracts, business cases, and organizational environmental factors. Engaging with experts and stakeholders and analyzing historical data from past projects can provide valuable insights into resource requirements.
- Skill Gap Analysis and Continuous Assessment: After establishing the resource needs, the next step is to assess the current skills of team members and identify any gaps. This continuous evaluation ensures that the team remains competent and capable of meeting project objectives.
- Supporting Knowledge Transfer: Ensuring effective knowledge transfer among team members is crucial for maintaining team capability. This involves creating opportunities for learning and sharing within the team, facilitating mentorship, and encouraging open communication.
- Appraising Skills Continuously: Regular assessment of team skills is vital to ensure that they align with the project’s evolving needs. This involves not only assessing technical competencies but also soft skills and leadership abilities.
Practical Aspects of Team Building
In practical terms, building a team requires a project manager to create resource matrices or tables that detail the types of resources needed, their quantities, locations, and other relevant attributes. The process often involves:
- Analyzing project charters, contracts, and business cases to understand resource needs.
- Consulting with technical experts and stakeholders for their input on resource requirements.
- Using organizational historical data and lesson learned registers as references.
- Creating breakout sessions or brainstorming sessions with experts to consolidate resource requirements.
Placing Resources in the Project Context
Once the resource requirements are identified, they need to be integrated into the project management plan. This could be documented in a resource management plan or other project artifacts, depending on the project’s methodology. For projects employing agile or hybrid approaches, this information might be included in team charters or other relevant documents.
Conclusion
Building a team as per the PMP exam’s requirements is not just about filling positions with skilled individuals. It’s about creating a synergistic environment where team members are continuously growing, learning, and contributing to the project’s success. It requires a nuanced approach, balancing technical resource needs with the softer aspects of team dynamics, communication, and continuous improvement. This task, while challenging, is essential for the successful delivery of project outcomes and the development of a high-performing team.
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