PMP Practice Questions #40
As the project progresses, you’ve observed that two team members, Ravi and Isabella, haven’t been collaborating effectively for the past two weeks. Their interactions are marked by evident tension, negatively impacting the quality of their joint deliverables. As the project manager, what is the most appropriate step to address the situation between Ravi and Isabella?
A) Organize a team-building activity, hoping that the shared experience will help them bond.
B) Schedule a private meeting with both Ravi and Isabella to facilitate an open dialogue about the issue.
C) Share your observations about their interactions during a retrospective meeting with the entire team.
D) Wait for the team to naturally resolve the situation on its own.
Analysis
The core problem depicted in the question is a sensed conflict between two team members, Ravi and Isabella. As the project manager has observed, this conflict has spanned over two weeks and has negatively impacted the quality of joint deliverables. The main objective for the project manager is to understand the cause of this conflict and find a solution that mitigates the observed detrimental impacts.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Organize a team-building activity, hoping that the shared experience will help them bond. This is an indirect approach to resolving the conflict. The downside is that by involving the entire team in a team-building activity, the focus is diffused. The two individuals in question might not necessarily address their conflict, and the investment of time and resources for the whole team might not yield the desired outcome. It doesn’t directly address the problem at hand.
Option B: Schedule a private meeting with both Ravi and Isabella to facilitate an open dialogue about the issue. This option directly addresses the issue. By facilitating an open dialogue, the project manager can clarify observations, validate whether these observations are accurate, and work towards a resolution. This approach respects the privacy of the individuals involved, avoids public confrontation, and is a proactive way to find a solution.
Option C: Share your observations about their interactions during a retrospective meeting with the entire team. This option might lead to public embarrassment and defensiveness, which can exacerbate the conflict rather than resolve it. The situation could become even more complicated, and other team members could be dragged into it. Addressing individual conflicts in a public setting without prior conversation might not be the most emotionally intelligent approach.
Option D: Wait for the team to naturally resolve the situation on its own. The passive approach of waiting for the problem to be resolved on its own can be effective in scenarios where the conflict is not impacting the project’s outcomes. However, in this instance, where there’s a clear indication of deteriorating deliverable quality, passive waiting might be detrimental.
Conclusion: Given the analysis, Option B Schedule a private meeting with both Ravi and Isabella to facilitate an open dialogue about the issue.– scheduling a private meeting with both Ravi and Isabella – emerges as the most appropriate step to address the situation. The situation primarily deals with conflict management. The project manager’s role is pivotal in understanding the context of the conflict, interpreting its nature, and finding the most effective resolution method. Emotionally intelligent handling of the situation, as well as leading the team effectively through potential pitfalls, is crucial. The primary topics covered include team development, conflict management, emotional intelligence, and interactive communication.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 1: Manage conflict |
| People | Task 2: Lead a team |
| People | Task 14: Promote team performance through the application of emotional intelligence |
Topics Covered
- Team Development
- Conflict Management
- Emotional Intelligence
- Communication
