PMP Practice Questions #118
In managing a fully remote Agile team, you notice a lack of participation during retrospective meetings: team members rarely speak up, video sharing is minimal, and insights are scant. To enhance engagement and ensure productive discussions, what strategy should you employ as the project manager?
A) Mandate video usage for all participants to create a more engaging and personal meeting environment.
B) Use interactive tools and activities during retrospectives to foster engagement and participation.
C) Implement strict speaking time limits for each participant to ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute during the meeting.
D) Establish ground rules agreed upon by all team members, including expectations for participation and norms for video sharing, to foster a more inclusive atmosphere.
Analysis:
In the context of managing a fully remote Agile team, the challenge of limited participation during retrospective meetings is a common scenario that requires effective resolution strategies. The goal is to enhance engagement and foster productive discussions, ensuring every team member feels valued and heard. This situation demands an approach that not only addresses the symptoms—such as minimal video sharing and scant insights—but also tackles the root cause of disengagement.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Mandate video usage for all participants to create a more engaging and personal meeting environment. Mandating video usage might seem like a straightforward solution to create a more engaging and personal meeting environment. However, this approach could be perceived as forceful and may not address underlying issues of engagement. It risks creating resistance rather than fostering genuine participation.
Option B: Use interactive tools and activities during retrospectives to foster engagement and participation. Utilizing interactive tools and activities introduces an element of engagement through visual and collaborative means. While this can enhance the interactivity of retrospectives, it may not fully resolve issues related to personal connection or ensure that quieter team members feel comfortable contributing.
Option C: Implement strict speaking time limits for each participant to ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute during the meeting. Implementing strict speaking time limits aims to ensure equitable contribution by allocating defined time slots to each participant. This method, though well-intentioned, may not effectively encourage spontaneous or thoughtful participation, especially from those less inclined to speak up.
Option D: Establish ground rules agreed upon by all team members, including expectations for participation and norms for video sharing, to foster a more inclusive atmosphere. It proposes a collaborative approach: establishing ground rules collectively agreed upon by all team members. This strategy sets clear, mutually understood expectations for participation and video-sharing protocols. Involving the team in creating these guidelines, fosters a sense of collective ownership and responsibility towards the meeting’s conduct. This inclusive method ensures that each member understands and respects the framework designed to enhance dialogue and participation, thus creating a conducive and respectful atmosphere for all. Such an approach directly tackles the root cause of disengagement, making it a comprehensive solution for fostering active and equitable involvement during retrospectives.
Conclusion: Considering the collaboration and continuous improvement, Option D emerges as the most effective strategy. It directly addresses the challenge of enhancing engagement in a fully remote setting by fostering a culture of shared responsibility and mutual respect. By establishing ground rules, the approach ensures that all team members understand and commit to expectations for participation, creating a conducive environment for productive and equitable discussions. This method aligns with the Agile ethos of team empowerment and collective problem-solving, making it the optimal choice for improving participation in retrospective meetings.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 11: Engage and support virtual teams |
| People | Task 12: Define team ground rules |
Topics Covered
- Meeting Facilitation
- Virtual / Remote Working
- Team Development
