PMP Practice Questions #166
You are starting a new project, and after a week of working together, you notice increased conflicts among team members. As a project manager, what is the best course of action to address these conflicts?
A) Ignore the conflicts, hoping they will resolve on their own
B) Promote open communication and help resolve differences constructively
C) Ask the team to be more proactive in resolving conflicts
D) Increase supervision and control over the team
Analysis
In this scenario, the project manager is facing increased conflicts among team members shortly after the project has started. Understanding the dynamics of team development, particularly through the Tuckman ladder model, is crucial. The Tuckman ladder describes the stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, and performing. Conflicts are common in the storming stage, where team members start to push against boundaries established in the forming stage. Effective conflict management is essential to navigate through this stage and move the team towards higher performance levels.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Ignore the conflicts, hoping they will resolve on their own: Ignoring conflicts might sometimes be appropriate in the performing stage, where the team is mature and capable of self-managing issues. However, in the storming stage, where the team is still forming relationships and understanding each other’s working styles, conflicts need proactive management. So this option is not suitable in the storming stage as it can lead to unresolved issues and further team dysfunction.
Option B: Promote open communication and help resolve differences constructive: Open communication is critical in all stages of team development. It helps in understanding different perspectives and finding constructive solutions. Promoting open communication and actively helping resolve conflicts can guide the team through the storming stage effectively. It fosters a positive environment and supports team development by addressing conflicts constructively.
Option C: Ask the team to be more proactive in resolving conflicts: Encouraging team members to be proactive in conflict resolution is beneficial, but in the storming stage, they might lack the necessary skills and understanding to do this effectively on their own. Guidance from the project manager is crucial at this stage.
Option D: Increase supervision and control over the team: Increasing supervision and control might seem like a good short-term solution to manage conflicts. However, it can hinder team development by preventing team members from learning to resolve conflicts themselves. This approach can also lead to dependency on the project manager and reduce team autonomy. While it may provide temporary relief, it is not a sustainable solution for long-term team development and conflict resolution.
Conclusion: Option B, “Promote open communication and help resolve differences constructively,” is the best course of action for addressing conflicts in the early stages of a project. This approach aligns with best practices in conflict management and team development, facilitating the transition from storming to norming and ultimately to performing stages. It encourages a positive team environment and helps build the skills necessary for effective collaboration and conflict resolution.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 1: Manage Conflict |
| People | Task 4 : Empower team members and stakeholders |
| People | Task 6 : Build a team |
Topics Covered
- Tukman Ladder
- Conflcit Management
