PMP Practice Questions #50
You are the project manager of a global initiative, and you have noticed that one of your virtual team members, Alex, seems disengaged during team meetings and has missed a few deadlines. Alex is a critical resource with a unique skill set that is essential to the project’s success. Given that you both are in different time zones with no overlapping working hours, what should be your FIRST action to address this situation?
A) Send an email to Alex detailing your observations and ask him to address his lack of participation and missed deadlines.
B) Send an email to Alex detailing your observations and ask him to meet you one-on-one during your working hours.
C) Initiate a one-on-one chat using the messenger, so he can respond as and when he gets time, and share your observations.
D) Schedule a one-on-one meeting with Alex at a mutually convenient time, even if it means adjusting your schedule temporarily, to understand the reasons for his disengagement.
Analysis
The question addresses a situation where a project manager observes disengagement and missed deadlines from a critical team member, Alex, who works in a different time zone. The challenge is to address Alex’s performance issues effectively considering the time zone differences and the importance of his role in the project.
Analysis of Options:
Option A -Send an email to Alex detailing your observations and ask him to address his lack of participation and missed deadlines. Sending an email to detail observations and ask Alex to address his disengagement and missed deadlines might seem direct, but it lacks the personal touch and immediacy of real-time communication. It risks misinterpretation and may not provide a complete understanding of the underlying issues due to its asynchronous nature.
Option B – Send an email to Alex detailing your observations and ask him to meet you one-on-one during your working hours. This option also involves sending an email, but with the intent of setting up a one-on-one meeting. However, insisting on meeting during your own working hours may come across as inconsiderate of Alex’s time zone and schedule, which might not foster an open and collaborative discussion.
Option C -Initiate a one-on-one chat using the messenger, so he can respond as and when he gets time, and share your observations. Starting a one-on-one chat allows Alex to respond in his own time. While this method acknowledges the time zone challenge, it still lacks the depth and clarity that a real-time conversation can offer, especially for sensitive topics like performance issues.
Option D -Schedule a one-on-one meeting with Alex at a mutually convenient time, even if it means adjusting your schedule temporarily, to understand the reasons for his disengagement. This option involves scheduling a real-time meeting at a time convenient for both parties, even if it requires adjusting your schedule. It prioritizes direct, synchronous communication and demonstrates a willingness to accommodate and understand Alex’s situation, fostering a more empathetic and effective dialogue.
Conclusion: Option D is the most appropriate first action. It balances the need for direct, real-time communication with flexibility and consideration for the team member’s time zone. This approach demonstrates effective leadership and a commitment to resolving the issue through understanding and collaboration, essential for maintaining team engagement and project success.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 11: Engage and support virtual teams |
| People | Task 3: Support team performance |
| People | Task 2: Lead a team |
| Process | Task2: Manage communications |
Topics Covered
- Performance Feedback
- Communication Management
- Leadership
