Deck 6: Project Team Building, Conflict, and Negotiation

Question 1

The behavioral view of conflict is that conflict has a negative effect on organizations.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

A(n) __________ is an overall purpose that is important to all functional groups involved, but whose attainment requires the resources and efforts of more than one group.

Answer 2

superordinate goal

Question 3

A(n) __________ encourages conflict in an organization because it keeps an organization from stagnating.

Answer 3

interactionist

Question 4

The two main challenges that virtual project teams face are building trust and establishing the best modes of communication.

Question 5

The punctuated equilibrium model suggests that groups spend the majority of their time in stasis.

Question 6

Team building and conflict management are two of the more important and difficult __________ that project managers can cultivate.

Question 7

Project managers are best able to promote a sense of enthusiasm within the project team when they create an environment that is challenging, supportive, and personally rewarding.

Question 8

The first step in assembling a project team is to study the work breakdown structure in order to __________.

Question 9

Cross-functional cooperation directly influences both the actual implementation of the project and the team members' assessment that the project experience was worthwhile.

Question 10

The project wouldn't have been possible without the combined efforts of its members from several different functional areas of the organization. Each member contributed what he could and left other pieces of the puzzle to other members with the requisite skills. This reliance on the team was a classic example of __________.

Question 11

Confrontation and defusion are two approaches to __________.

Question 12

Conflict begins as team members begin to resist authority and demonstrate hidden agendas during the __________ stage of group development.

Question 13

A team that is firmly committed to achieving the project's goals is said to have a(n) __________ orientation.

Question 14

The unnecessary project was a low priority for many members of the department. Why bother to attend meetings or do anything if there was no opportunity for advancement. The team suffered a serious lack of __________ and there was little that could be done to rectify it.

Question 15

High turnover among project team members is a key element of success since new team members will bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the group.

Question 16

Team building and conflict management skills are two of the most important people skills that project managers can cultivate.

Question 17

If preferred project team members are not available, the project manager should notify top management of the consequences.

Question 18

Project team productivity is at its peak during the norming phase of group development.

Question 19

__________ reflects the fact that different functional departments develop their own mindsets and value systems that can conflict with those of other departments.

Question 20

The first step in assembling a project team is to talk to potential team members.

Question 21

Most project resources are negotiated with:

A) project managers.
B) potential team members.
C) top management.
D) external stakeholders.

Question 22

The department chair had allotted plenty of time for all department (and project) members to prepare sections of their five-year program review. Administration demanded no less than 50 pages be devoted to a thorough and thoughtful review of activities and goals. What happened to the report was anybody's guess; no one had actually seen one or ever heard back from administration once they had submitted it. Most of the project team members thought the report was immediately sent to the steam tunnels running underneath the campus or perhaps it would sit collecting dust as part of a make-work program to justify an assistant VP's job. No wonder that team meetings were poorly attended and that all the sections of the report were filled with trite phrases and wide margins. This team suffers from:

A) tenure.
B) poorly developed goals.
C) poorly defined team interdependencies.
D) lack of motivation.

Question 23

Disruptive acts or some project team members due to personality issues, hidden agendas, or interpersonal problems are categorized as:

A) poor communication.
B) lack of motivation.
C) dysfunctional behavior.
D) poor leadership.

Question 24

If a functional manager will not release the resources you need as project manager, your best course of action is to:

A) adjust project schedules and priorities accordingly.
B) try to negotiate for partial assistance.
C) notify top management of the consequences.
D) update your resume.

Question 25

All of the members of the ladies' circle were horrified when each of them arrived at the parish hall with 20 gallons of potato salad. It was all quite delicious but wasn't the well-balanced spread they customarily set out. The potato salad disaster of '89 was passed from generation to generation along with a stern warning to:

A) make sure that every team member is motivated.
B) make sure that project goals are clear.
C) make sure that project team roles are clear.
D) make sure that turnover is low.

Question 26

A project manager can identify the skills needed for the project from the:

A) departmental personnel listings.
B) project budget.
C) stakeholder meeting.
D) work breakdown structure.

Question 27

The key to creating the energy and spirit that drives effective project efforts is:

A) results orientation.
B) trust.
C) cohesiveness.
D) enthusiasm.

Question 28

Cletus thought they were draining the swamp, but Ace was convinced they were better off building a bridge across it. Their project team was doomed to failure owing to their:

A) poorly defined team roles.
B) unclear goals.
C) lack of motivation.
D) poorly defined team interdependencies.

Question 29

Project management people skills include:

A) team building.
B) scheduling.
C) budgeting.
D) project evaluation.

Question 30

Which two steps of project team building are out of sequence?

A) You always identify skills before you identify people.
B) You always negotiate with the functional supervisor before you negotiate with top management.
C) You always negotiate with the functional supervisor before you talk to potential team members.
D) You always identify personnel before you talk to potential team members.

Question 31

Trust based on a person's competence would be summarized by this team member's affectionate statement towards another team member.

A) "I trust you to honor your commitments."
B) "Does it feel right to allow you to make this decision?"
C) "I trust you to be able to accomplish this task."
D) "I trust you to do the right thing."

Question 32

The study group that Philip had formed in his first MBA class had gotten him through his management science course; of that there could be no question. Now as he neared the end of his MBA he reflected on how team members had chosen courses together each semester, keeping the study group intact and keeping themselves one step ahead of their classmates. His MBA project team had:

A) trust coming out of their ears.
B) cohesiveness in spades.
C) an overabundance of enthusiasm.
D) a plethora of results orientation.

Question 33

The Dean's laissez faire attitude hit its zenith when he had missed five department chair meetings in a row despite the pressing needs of the MBA Curriculum Revision Team. No one was sure what to do so they did nothing, and the MBA program remained as it had always been as the revision team slunk back to their offices. If only there had been:

A) better leadership, the project might have succeeded.
B) less turnover among project members, the project might have succeeded.
C) a clear goal, the project might have succeeded.
D) more motivation among team members, the project might have succeeded.

Question 34

The first step in assembling a project team is to:

A) talk to potential team members.
B) identify the required skills.
C) negotiate with the functional supervisor.
D) notify top management.

Question 35

Productive interdependencies hinge upon:

A) the project manager's role as the hub of the team with all team members as spokes.
B) the degree of knowledge the team members have and the importance they attach to interrelatedness of efforts.
C) the cohesiveness of the project team's supply chain and the degree of assistance they render the project team.
D) the support the key stakeholders offer to the overall project success.

Question 36

The best source of troubleshooting for problems is the:

A) project team.
B) project manager.
C) project customer.
D) project champion.

Question 37

With a failure to secure personnel releases from functional managers, a project manager should:

A) proceed as originally planned.
B) abandon the project.
C) adjust schedules and scope documents.
D) relinquish project leader status.

Question 38

The semester project was due at 8:00 a.m. the next day and as the sun rose swiftly in the east, the team of four graduating seniors held their collective breath. If their database project worked (and why wouldn't it, they had begun early yesterday afternoon) they would complete their quest and graduate in a week with their shiny diplomas in MIS. Their drive to finish the project with A quality work was clear testament to their:

A) results orientation.
B) trust.
C) cohesiveness.
D) enthusiasm.

Question 39

A key determinant of project success is a:

A) rapidly assembled team.
B) slowly assembled team.
C) project leader voted on by the team.
D) clear project mission.

Question 40

The project team's office needed a revolving door to facilitate the influx and outflow of personnel. Team members needed name tags to keep track of who was who and what their duties were. The project was jeopardized by:

A) poor leadership.
B) high turnover.
C) lack of team motivation.
D) poor communication among team members.

Question 41

The forming stage of group development is sometimes called the:

A) storming stage.
B) foundering stage.
C) newbie stage.
D) jehosephat stage.

Question 42

It appeared that everyone on the project team was finally on board; Jim would bring the doughnuts to all team meetings and Jenny would make the coffee. Fully caffeinated and on a sugar high, the team was coming together and fully committed to the project development process. The team was now planted firmly in the:

A) storming stage of group development.
B) forming stage of group development.
C) norming stage of group development.
D) performing stage of group development.

Question 43

Cross functional cooperation directly affects both:

A) superordinate goals and psycho-social outcomes.
B) psycho-social outcomes and task outcomes.
C) task outcomes and self actualization.
D) self actualization and superordinate goals.

Question 44

Everyone in the Tagi tribe agreed to vote out Gervasse at the next tribal council. Their 39-day project to make it to the final four together was two steps away from completion. This project group is in the:

A) storming stage of group development.
B) performing stage of group development.
C) forming stage of group development.
D) norming stage of group development.

Question 45

The formalized processes established by organizations that mandate or control activities of project team members are represented by:

A) the physical proximity factor in the cross-functional cooperation model.
B) the accessibility factor in the cross-functional cooperation model.
C) the rules and procedures factor in the cross-functional cooperation model.
D) the superordinate goals factor in the cross-functional cooperation model.

Question 46

The design team's location in one centralized cube farm made it convenient for them to interact with each other and overhear conversations that they had something to contribute to, proving once again the value of:

A) accessibility.
B) rules and procedures.
C) superordinate goals.
D) physical proximity.

Question 47

Cooperation influences this factor that is involved in the actual implementation of the project and is known as:

A) project results.
B) task outcomes.
C) work packages.
D) work breakdown structure.

Question 48

Even though he was an assistant director with the county, Keith loosened his tie and waded into the raw, untreated sewage with the rest of the project team. As they stood there together in the quagmire of mud and feces, the team members found Keith less intimidating and his:

A) accessibility was at an all time high. Surely the cross-functional cooperation of the team would soon peak.
B) proximity was at an all time high. Surely the cross-functional cooperation of the team would soon peak.
C) equanimity was at an all time high. Surely the cross-functional cooperation of the team would soon peak.
D) task orientation was at an all time high. Surely the cross-functional cooperation of the team would soon peak.

Question 49

The punctuated equilibrium model of team development says that:

A) cataclysmic events promote growth after long periods of no change.
B) change occurs as the team leader insists upon it.
C) there can be no equilibrium until suffering has occurred.
D) if team members are punctual, the project can achieve equilibrium.

Question 50

Which of these factors does NOT influence cross functional cooperation?

A) accessibility
B) physical proximity
C) rules and procedures
D) self-efficacy

Question 51

Team members get to know each other in the:

A) adjourning stage of group development.
B) storming stage of group development.
C) performing stage of group development.
D) forming stage of group development.

Question 52

The role of the team leader is to create structure and set the tone for future cooperation and positive team attitudes in the:

A) forming stage of group development.
B) norming stage of group development.
C) performing stage of group development.
D) adjourning stage of group development.

Question 53

Gersick's model for team development rejects the standard model in favor of something called:

A) forming-storming-norming-performing-adjourning.
B) directed chaos.
C) the golden rule.
D) punctuated equilibrium.

Question 54

The fact that a project experience was worthwhile and satisfying means that the project scored high on:

A) ego fulfillment.
B) self-actualization.
C) psycho-social outcomes.
D) id.

Question 55

The two sets of factors that contribute to cross-functional cooperation influence:

A) criticality and accessibility.
B) functionality and outcomes.
C) cooperation and outcomes.
D) cooperation and criticality.

Question 56

An overall goal or purpose that is important to all functional groups involved, but whose attainment requires the resources and efforts of more than one group, is a:

A) superordinate goal.
B) means goal.
C) end goal.
D) field goal.

Question 57

The trigger point of the punctuated equilibrium model occurs:

A) during the second meeting.
B) halfway between the first meeting and the deadline.
C) when the project is 20% complete.
D) when the project is 80% complete.

Question 58

"Our work here is done," the project leader shouted as he surveyed the scene. "Go home and reflect on what you've accomplished and I'll see you at the world premier once we're all immortalized in a feature length movie." This project team is in the:

A) forming stage of group development.
B) norming stage of group development.
C) performing stage of group development.
D) adjourning stage of group development.

Question 59

An unwritten rule of behavior is a(n):

A) law.
B) codicil.
C) norm.
D) ethic.

Question 60

Conflict begins as team members begin to resist authority and demonstrate hidden agendas and prejudices in the:

A) storming stage of group development.
B) performing stage of group development.
C) forming stage of group development.
D) norming stage of group development.

Question 61

Regular meetings and ad hoc get-togethers prevent a virtual team member from:

A) accomplishing too much.
B) disappearing.
C) forgetting deadlines.
D) missing meetings.

Question 62

The use of electronic media including e-mail, internet, and teleconferencing to link geographically dispersed members creates a(n):

A) electronic team.
B) virtual team.
C) telegenic team.
D) cyber team.

Question 63

Virtual teams are often slowed down by difficulty with:

A) superordinate goals.
B) task reliance.
C) punctuated equilibrium.
D) communication.

Question 64

Your first project team meeting got off to a bad start when the functional manager for your team's physician refused to allow her to attend the meeting. This:

A) goal-oriented conflict threatened the project's success.
B) administrative conflict posed a serious threat to the project's success.
C) interpersonal conflict was devastating to the project's chance for success.
D) interactionist conflict meant there would be no project completion party in your future.

Question 65

Some of the team members took great delight in stirring the pot at team meetings. They knew just how to get each team member agitated and then sat back and enjoyed the show. These trouble-makers defended their actions by claiming that they took the:

A) traditional view of conflict.
B) behavioral view of conflict.
C) high reliability view of conflict.
D) interactionist view of conflict.

Question 66

The husband in the marriage project meekly apologized and hid in the garage while the other project team member rampaged through the house. The husband holds the:

A) behavioral view of conflict.
B) interactionist view of conflict.
C) traditional view of conflict.
D) attributional view of conflict.

Question 67

Everyone on the virtual project team agreed to respond to e-mail within 24 hours of receipt and this:

A) conflict resolution process assured the project team of success.
B) augmented communication assured the project team of success.
C) code of conduct assured the project team of success.
D) heuristic assured the project team of success.

Question 68

The operations team had a weekly gripe session during the two hours before their 7:30 p.m. appointments on Wednesday evenings during which everyone gleefully unloaded on the powers that controlled their miserable lives. This session was valuable since it:

A) allowed them to feel like real men, if only for a little while.
B) rewarded good behavior.
C) established a sense of security and consistency.
D) created a clear process for addressing conflict and group norms.

Question 69

Conflict associated with disagreement in project scope, priorities, or objectives is:

A) goal-oriented.
B) administrative.
C) interpersonal.
D) traditional.

Question 70

Which of these approaches is NOT a research-based approach for building a high performing team?

A) Set tight deadlines and then relax them.
B) Make the project team as tangible as possible.
C) Reward good behavior.
D) Develop a personal touch.

Question 71

A splendid way to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of virtual teams is to:

A) have them meet face-to-face.
B) restrict team members to audio communication only.
C) mandate audio and video in all electronic communication.
D) use e-mail most of the time since the printed word is rarely misinterpreted.

Question 72

The two main challenges for virtual teams include:

A) maintaining autonomy.
B) automating monotony.
C) building trust.
D) the bullwhip effect.

Question 73

The misconception of the reason behind another person's behavior is:

A) faulty communication.
B) a personal grudge.
C) faulty attribution.
D) prejudice.

Question 74

Because conflict is perceptual in nature:

A) it is a state.
B) it is essentially static.
C) it often cannot be solved by any conventional means but must be refereed.
D) it doesn't really matter if one party has truly wronged another party.

Question 75

Conflict is not a state, but a:

A) way of life.
B) condition.
C) process.
D) certainty.

Question 76

Flexibility, creativity, and pragmatism are three keys to:

A) making the project team as tangible as possible.
B) developing a personal touch.
C) creating a virtual team.
D) rewarding good behavior.

Question 77

The globalization committee was halfway through their first meeting before the team leader realized that his boss had granted him authority that wasn't going to be agreed to by the functional managers of his team. After the meeting, his team members reported back to their units and the team leader's phone began to ring. The source of the conflict he is about to experience is:

A) differentiation.
B) uncertainty.
C) scarce resources.
D) reward systems.

Question 78

One study has estimated that the average manager spends:

A) about 10% of her time dealing with conflict.
B) about 20% of her time dealing with conflict.
C) about 40% of her time dealing with conflict.
D) about 80% of her time dealing with conflict.

Question 79

Andy Ambiguous concluded the project meeting and the puzzled team compared notes as they walked down the hall from the meeting room. Each team member had a different spin on what their assignment was before the next meeting and this was sure to create some problems, thanks to the:

A) prejudice.
B) faulty attribution.
C) personal grudges.
D) faulty communication.

Question 80

The Liberal Arts faculty failed to see the reason that every professor on campus would not make exactly the same amount of money, arguing that every person is of equal value. The business faculty relied on the laws of supply and demand and market forces to guide their wages and couldn't fathom why their counterparts could be such dunderheads. The source of conflict between these two groups is:

A) differentiation.
B) uncertainty.
C) reward systems.
D) scarce resources.