Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why is it essential for Project Managers to focus on the HR aspects of a project?
Why is it essential for Project Managers to focus on the HR aspects of a project?
- Project Managers perform all project work themselves.
- Projects are managed with minimal team interaction.
- Project Managers have significant positional power.
- Projects involve extensive interaction among people. (correct)
Which of the following is a limitation of Project Managers regarding power?
Which of the following is a limitation of Project Managers regarding power?
- They usually have a significant amount of legitimate power.
- They have more expertise than their team members.
- They often possess extensive coercive power.
- They typically lack legitimate power compared to other managers. (correct)
Which source of power should Project Managers focus on utilizing effectively?
Which source of power should Project Managers focus on utilizing effectively?
- Legitimate power exclusively.
- Expertise and referent power. (correct)
- Reward power and coercive power.
- Authority power only.
What does power enable a Project Manager to do?
What does power enable a Project Manager to do?
In managing project teams, which factor is crucial for Project Managers to consider?
In managing project teams, which factor is crucial for Project Managers to consider?
What is the significance of influence for Project Managers?
What is the significance of influence for Project Managers?
Which of the following best describes the role of people in projects?
Which of the following best describes the role of people in projects?
Managing stakeholder relationships within a project is vital because:
Managing stakeholder relationships within a project is vital because:
What attitude should Project Managers cultivate toward their team's capabilities?
What attitude should Project Managers cultivate toward their team's capabilities?
Which phase of project management emphasizes human resource management the most?
Which phase of project management emphasizes human resource management the most?
What is the most effective source of influence for project managers to ensure successful project outcomes?
What is the most effective source of influence for project managers to ensure successful project outcomes?
Which management style should a project manager adopt for team members with high-level expertise?
Which management style should a project manager adopt for team members with high-level expertise?
What type of conflict is typically beneficial for team performance?
What type of conflict is typically beneficial for team performance?
Which approach should a project manager use when the situation is of high importance and the relationship is of low importance?
Which approach should a project manager use when the situation is of high importance and the relationship is of low importance?
What is NOT a method to develop a project team's capabilities?
What is NOT a method to develop a project team's capabilities?
Which statement best reflects the role of conflict in project management?
Which statement best reflects the role of conflict in project management?
What is considered a negative source of influence for project managers?
What is considered a negative source of influence for project managers?
What is the recommended approach if the situation is of low importance and the relationship is of high importance?
What is the recommended approach if the situation is of low importance and the relationship is of high importance?
Which of the following is NOT typically a benefit of effective team-building activities?
Which of the following is NOT typically a benefit of effective team-building activities?
What is an effective way for a project manager to mitigate excessive conflict within a team?
What is an effective way for a project manager to mitigate excessive conflict within a team?
Study Notes
Managing the Human Resources Aspects of the Project
- Project management involves managing people (team and stakeholders) therefore interaction of humans is key to outcomes
- Project managers often lack the authority of other managers and rely on influence to get tasks completed
- Sources of power include: expertise, referent, legitimate, reward, coercive
Understanding Power and Influence
- Expertise: Having knowledge or skills valued by others
- Referent: Being liked or admired by others (influencing people who desire to be like them)
- Legitimate: Based on position or role
- Reward: Ability to provide rewards
- Coercive: Ability to punish or threaten others
Ways to Influence that Help and Hurt Projects
- Influencing using expertise and work challenge increases project success.
- Relying too heavily on authority, money, or penalty can decrease project success
Managing the Project Team’s Activities
- Project Managers need to manage project team member performance effectively.
- Effective management styles depend on the expertise level of each team member
- Low-level expertise: Directive management style
- Medium-level expertise: Coaching management style
- Medium/high-level expertise: Supportive management style
- High-level expertise: Delegating management style
Building the Project Team’s Capabilities
- In addition to managing, Project Managers should develop team capabilities (technical and soft skills)
- Developing team capabilities can be done through:
- Training (formal or informal)
- Regular feedback (formal or informal)
- Recognition of work (financial (bonus) or non-financial (saying thanks))
- Team-building activities (social events, lunches, etc.)
Managing the Stakeholder Relationships
- Project Managers interact with various stakeholders and should actively manage these relationships.
- These relationships should be managed with a previously developed Stakeholder Management Plan from planning stages.
Managing Conflict
- Conflict can be productive or counterproductive on a project.
- Moderate conflict can be good because it can generate new ideas and better solutions.
- Too little conflict can lead to "Groupthink" (conforming to group values, lacking dissenting opinions).
- Excessive conflict can be counterproductive.
- Conflict Management approaches are influenced by:
- Importance of the Situation
- Importance of Maintaining Relationships
Conflict Management Approaches
- Importance of Situation - Importance of Relationship - Approach
- High Importance - High Importance - Collaborating
- Low Importance - High Importance - Accommodating
- High Importance - Low Importance - Directing
- Low Importance - Low Importance - Avoiding
- Moderate Importance - Moderate Importance - Compromising
General Advice on Teams
- Be patient and kind with the team
- Focus on fixing problems instead of blaming people
- Have regular, effective meetings
- Allow time for teams to go through the basic team-building stages.
- Limit team size to 3-7 members
- Do not schedule people at 100% capacity as it is not realistic
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Description
Test your knowledge on managing the human resources aspects of project management. This quiz covers the important sources of power and influence in project management and examines methods to enhance team collaboration for project success. Evaluate your understanding of how to influence project outcomes effectively.
