PMP Practice Questions #38
As a project progresses, several team members express concerns about the direction of their tasks, feeling uncertain about how their individual efforts contribute to the project’s objectives. This uncertainty has resulted in decreased motivation and collaboration among team members. What should the project manager do to address the situation?
A) Re-evaluate the reward and recognition system to ensure it aligns with project objectives.
B) Clarify the broader impact and significance of the deliverables to stakeholders.
C) Diversify tasks by involving the team in end-user training sessions.
D) Arrange a team-building event to provide a break and rejuvenate team spirit.
Analysis
The primary issue highlighted in the question is related to motivation, specifically stemming from the team members’ inability to recognize how their individual efforts tie into the overall project objectives. The primary need here is for the project manager to enable a sense of achievement and value in team members by showing them the broader impact of their contributions. The ideal solution should address this concern directly.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Re-evaluate the reward and recognition system to ensure it aligns with project objectives. This focuses on the reward and recognition system. Although rewards can be a factor in motivation, however, the primary issue in this scenario isn’t about rewards. It’s about understanding and visualizing one’s contribution to the larger goal. Therefore, this option might not be the most effective solution for the problem at hand
Option B: Clarify the broader impact and significance of the deliverables to stakeholders. This option seems to address the core issue. By highlighting the overall impact and importance of the deliverables, team members can more deeply recognize the worth of their contributions. Such clarity can greatly enhance motivation and morale because it addresses their specific concerns.
Option C: Diversify tasks by involving the team in end-user training sessions. Diversifying tasks by involving team members in end-user training sessions might give them a broader perspective of the project. However, it makes assumptions and is an indirect solution to the problem, whereas Option B provides a more direct solution.
Option D: Arrange a team-building event to provide a break and rejuvenate team spirit. Though such events promote mutual trust and friendship among team members, they don’t address the central concern. The issue isn’t about team dynamics or stress; it’s about recognizing individual contributions to the larger project goals. Thus, this option is not an optimal solution for this particular situation.
Conclusion: Option B, Clarify the broader impact and significance of the deliverables to stakeholders. is the most appropriate as it addresses the root cause of the issue by helping team members see the bigger picture, thereby fostering motivation and collaboration. This solution also aligns with various motivational theories which emphasize the need for individuals to understand their significance and impact on larger objectives.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 2: Lead a team |
Topics Covered
- Leadership
- Motivation Theories
