Deck 11: Managing Project Teams

Question 1

The project manager must quickly establish operational ground rules for how the team will work together.These include planning,tracking,managing change,and relationship decisions.Which of the following is an example of a planning decision?

A) What departments will the team need to interact with during the project?
B) What are the specific roles and responsibilities of all the participants?
C) Who will generate and distribute reports?
D) How will changes be documented and evaluated?
E) How will progress be assessed?

Answer 1

B
Explanation: The specific roles and responsibilities of all the participants would be considered a planning decision.What departments will the team need to interact with during the project would be considered a relationship decision.Who will generate and distribute reports and how progress will be assessed would both be considered tracking decisions.How changes will be documented and evaluated would be considered a managing change decisions.

Question 2

Establishing a team identity is facilitated by

A) Team members working in a common space.
B) Creation of a project team name.
C) Effective use of meetings.
D) Team rituals.
E) All of these are facilitators of establishing a team identity.

Answer 2

E
Explanation: Effective team meetings,co-location of team members,creation of a project team name,getting the team to work together early on,and team rituals are all vehicles to help establish a team identity.

Question 3

All of the following have been found to be good for running effective project meetings EXCEPT

A) Start meetings on time regardless of whether everyone is present.
B) Allow a time period for socializing to support the development of a team identity.
C) Thoroughly document all decisions.
D) Prepare and distribute an agenda prior to the meeting.
E) Identify an adjournment time.

Answer 3

B
Explanation: It is recommended that time for socialized be scheduled at a time other than at a project meeting.

Question 4

Roger is new-product project manager for a retail company.Recently the team has exhibited a high degree of conflict over who will control the group and how decisions will be made.Which stage of development is the team in?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 5

During which stage of team development do close relationships develop and the group demonstrates cohesiveness?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 6

Experience and research indicate that high-performance project teams are much more likely to develop under all the following conditions EXCEPT

A) Members are assigned to the project full time.
B) Members report solely to the project manager.
C) There are 10 or fewer members per team.
D) Team members are selected by their managers.
E) The project involves a compelling objective.

Question 7

There are two important factors that affect the recruitment of project members.Which of the following is one of those factors?

A) The budget available
B) The size of the project
C) The management structure being used to complete the project
D) The level of innovation and technical expertise needed
E) Organizational culture

Question 8

The essence of positive synergy can be found in the phrase

A) Front of ship sink-back of ship sink.
B) There is no "I" in team.
C) Two heads are better than one.
D) The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
E) If it doesn't kill you,it makes you stronger.

Question 9

During which stage of team development do members accept that they are part of a project group but resist the constraints that the project and the group put on their individuality?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 10

When recruiting project team members,which of the following factors is NOT something a project manager might consider?

A) The political connections the potential team member may have
B) Their problem-solving ability
C) Their ambition,initiative,and energy
D) Their skillset as it compares to the project manager
E) Their availability

Question 11

During which stage of team development do team members establish ground rules and try to find out what behaviors are acceptable and what performance expectations are?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 12

Tom is managing a project team responsible for building a new office building that started this week.He notices that team members are trying out different behaviors to see what is acceptable to the project and personal relations.Which stage of development is the team in?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 13

Which of the following is commonly associated with high-performing project teams?

A) Risk taking is controlled and not allowed to jeopardize the overall project
B) Roles and specific responsibilities are well-defined
C) A degree of competition among team members is encouraged
D) Mistakes are viewed as opportunities for learning
E) Team members are selected with similar talents to enhance cohesion

Question 14

The first project meeting is critical to the early functioning of the project team.Which of the following is NOT true regarding this meeting?

A) An overview of the project's scope and objectives should be addressed
B) Interpersonal interaction concerns should be addressed
C) The project manager must model how the team will work together
D) The meeting will need to be as long as necessary to cover the main objectives of a first meeting
E) The meeting should be productive,well-organized and realistic

Question 15

During which stage of team development is the team fully functional and accomplishing project goals?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 16

Researchers have found that high-performance teams have norms for team interaction.Which of the following is NOT one of those norms?

A) Hard work does not get in the way of having fun
B) No information is shared outside the team unless all agree to it
C) It is acceptable to be in trouble,but not to surprise others
D) When a decision has to be made,everyone should agree before moving forward
E) There is no tolerance for bulling a way through a problem or issue

Question 17

Sam is the coach of a high school soccer team and has noticed that some close relationships have formed as well as feelings of camaraderie and shared responsibilities for the team's success.Which stage of development is the team in?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 18

The essential qualities of an effective vision include all of the following EXCEPT

A) All team members have the same vision.
B) The vision should be communicated to all.
C) The vision has to make strategic sense.
D) There should be a passion for the vision.
E) The vision should be a source of inspiration to others.

Question 19

During which stage of team development is high performance not a top priority and attention is devoted to wrapping up the project?

A) Norming
B) Storming
C) Performing
D) Adjourning
E) Forming

Question 20

Project managers play a key role in developing high-performance project teams.Which of the following is NOT a contributing factor to this role?

A) Conduct project meetings
B) Recruit team members
C) Manage a reward system
D) Manage conflict
E) Report progress to top management

Question 21

Symptoms of groupthink include

A) Encouraged functional conflict.
B) Negative stereotypes of outsiders.
C) Optimized critical thinking.
D) Failed projects.
E) Positive synergy.

Question 22

When not going through normal protocols of the parent organization becomes habit and results in rejection of policies and procedures,this is known as which of the following project pitfalls?

A) Groupthink
B) Going native
C) Bureaucratic bypass syndrome
D) Projectitis
E) The privileged parameter

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT one of the tips for alleviating communication problems of virtual teams?

A) Insist team members travel at least once during the project for a face-to-face meeting
B) Keep team members informed on how well the overall project is going
C) Share the pain when team members reside in different time zones
D) Establish clear norms and protocols for surfacing assumptions and conflicts
E) Establish a code of conduct to avoid delays

Question 24

Which of the following would be an appropriate situation to require facilitating group decision making?

A) A mechanical engineer is stuck trying to meet performance criteria for a prototype
B) When strong group commitment is needed to decide methods to reduce project scope
C) Expectations are unclear regarding a specific task
D) Materials needed to finish a custom kitchen have not been determined
E) Dysfunctional conflict between two project team members needs to be resolved

Question 25

During the ________ stage of group development,close relationships develop and the group demonstrates cohesiveness.

Question 26

When project managers reduce the intensity of the conflict by smoothing over differences or interjecting humor when dysfunctional conflict arises,they are attempting to _________ the conflict.

A) Eliminate
B) Control
C) Mediate
D) Arbitrate
E) Encourage

Question 27

When reaching a decision during the group decision-making process,the project manager must build a consensus among the group and can do this by all of the following EXCEPT

A) If time becomes a factor,they must make an informed final decision after everyone's ideas have been heard.
B) Provide periodic summaries to help the group keep track of its progress.
C) Protect those members who represent the minority view.
D) Guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to share opinions.
E) Manage any conflict that may arise.

Question 28

During the ________ stage of group development,the members establish ground rules and try to find out what behaviors are acceptable to the team and individual team members.

Question 29

During the ________ stage of group development,there is conflict over who will control the group and how decisions will be made.

Question 30

Which of the following would be considered the MOST effective project reward?

A) Desirable job assignments
B) Lump-sum cash award
C) All-expenses-paid trip for team members and their families
D) Using negative reinforcement to motivate adequate performance
E) Public recognition

Question 31

Individual rewards for outstanding work would NOT include

A) Letters of commendation.
B) Public recognition.
C) Desirable job assignments.
D) Judiciously making exceptions to the rules.
E) All of these are examples of individual rewards for outstanding work.

Question 32

________ occurs when the whole is less than the sum of its parts.

Question 33

Strategies to manage dysfunctional conflict do NOT include _____ the conflict.

A) Control
B) Arbitrate
C) Mediate
D) Accept
E) Encourage

Question 34

During the ________ stage of group development,the team is fully functional and working together to accomplish the project goals.

Question 35

How can a project manager support and encourage functional conflict?

A) Conflict should not be encouraged or supported
B) By asking tough questions and by challenging the rationale behind recommendations
C) By imposing a solution to the conflict after listening to each party
D) By negotiating a resolution by reasoning and persuasion
E) As soon as emotions flare,he or she can intervene and attempt to control conflict because it has become dysfunctional

Question 36

When project managers impose a solution to dysfunctional conflict after listening to each party,they are __________ the conflict.

A) Eliminating
B) Controlling
C) Mediating
D) Arbitrating
E) Encouraging

Question 37

During the delivery phase of a project's life cycle,the most significant source of conflict is

A) Schedules.
B) Priorities.
C) Technical.
D) Procedures.
E) Costs.

Question 38

During the ________ stage of group development,the team prepares for its own disbandment.High performance is no longer a top priority.Instead attention is devoted to wrapping up the project.

Question 39

The biggest challenge to managing a virtual project team is

A) Getting reports and technical information communicated.
B) Developing trust and establishing effective patterns of communication.
C) Enforcing deadlines.
D) Dealing with team members in different time zones.
E) Being able to contact team members immediately when there is a problem.

Question 40

The first step in facilitating group decision making is to

A) Call a meeting to discuss the problem.
B) Identify the problem.
C) Agree that there is a problem.
D) Quantify the problem.
E) Generate alternatives.

Question 41

The use of 6:30A.M.The meetings continued for about two weeks until the project got back on schedule.At that time the project manager announced that the next meeting was canceled,and no further sunrise meetings were ever scheduled.A.M.meetings to get a project back on schedule is an example of ______ reinforcement to motivate project performance.
Project managers do not have direct authority over many key people,especially the contractors from the other companies.They do,however,have the freedom to convene meetings at their convenience.A project manager instituted daily "coordination meetings," which were required of all the principals involved,at 6:30

Question 42

Research indicates that high-performance project teams are much more likely to develop under certain conditions.One of these conditions is that members report solely to the __________.

Question 43

________ rewards typically should be used only when everyone on the team recognizes that a member is deserving of special recognition.

Question 44

Synergy can be both negative as well as positive.

Question 45

Team meetings,co-location of team members,team names,and team rituals are common vehicles when establishing a team _________.

Question 46

When a project manager imposes a solution to the conflict after listening to each party,he or she is __________ the conflict.

Question 47

When a project manager attempts to reduce the intensity of the conflict by smoothing over differences or interjecting humor,he or she is ___________ the conflict.

Question 48

Project managers should manage ___________ conflict.

Question 49

When a project manager intervenes and tries to negotiate a resolution by using reasoning and persuasion and suggesting alternatives,he or she is ___________ the conflict.

Question 50

An image a project team holds in common about how the project will look upon completion,how they will work together,and/or how customers will accept the project is known as a __________.It is a less tangible aspect of project performance.

Question 51

The main source of conflict in the delivering stage of the project life cycle is __________.

Question 52

________ decision making should be used when strong commitment to a decision is needed and there is a low probability of acceptance if the decision were to be made by one person.

Question 53

Because most project work is a collaborative effort,most project managers advocate the use of _______ rewards.

Question 54

Project managers should encourage ___________ conflict.

Question 55

The first _________ is critical to the early functioning of the project team.It sets the tone for how the team will work together.

Question 56

Symbolic actions at the project level that can contribute to a unique team subculture are called team ________.

Question 57

Experienced project managers understand the value of having team members ________ for the project as opposed to appointing team members.

Question 58

Research indicates that high-performance project teams are much more likely to develop under certain conditions.One of these conditions is that members are assigned to the project _______ time.

Question 59

Members who are geographically situated so that they may never be able to meet face-to-face would be a characteristic of a ________ project team.

Question 60

A project team gets things done without having to go through normal protocols of the parent organization.This is an example of _____________.

Question 61

The norming stage of team development is one in which close relationships develop and the group demonstrates cohesiveness.

Question 62

A project manager should be wary of people who know too much about a specific technology.

Question 63

Group decision making should be used when strong commitment to the decision is needed and when there is a low probability of acceptance if only one person makes the decision.

Question 64

Most project managers advocate the use of group rewards rather than individual rewards.

Question 65

Every project has the same potential to evolve into a high-performance team.

Question 66

Two of the biggest challenges involved in managing a virtual project team are developing trust and effective patterns of communication.

Question 67

One important factor that a project manager must acknowledge when recruiting project members is the management structure being used to complete the project.

Question 68

Lump-sum cash bonuses are the most effective group reward for project teams.

Question 69

There is a high degree of internal conflict in the forming stage of team development.

Question 70

Co-location of team members,team names,and team rituals are common vehicles for establishing a team identity.

Question 71

Research indicates that high-performance teams are much more likely to develop when the manager hand-selects team members.

Question 72

Team members can be upset and dissatisfied with conflict,but as long as the disagreement furthers the objectives of the project,then the conflict is functional.

Question 73

The storming stage of team development is complete when conflicts are resolved and leadership roles are accepted.

Question 74

Groupthink refers to the tendency of members in highly cohesive groups to lose their critical evaluative capabilities resulting in quick decision making with little consideration of alternatives.

Question 75

A project manager arbitrates conflict by intervening and attempting to negotiate a resolution by using reasoning,persuasion,and suggesting alternatives.

Question 76

The first team meeting sets the tone for how the team will work together.

Question 77

A general guideline for running effective meetings includes starting the meeting on time regardless of whether everyone is present.

Question 78

When facilitating group decision making,a project manager should identify a problem in terms of its alternate solutions so that team members can more easily reach a decision on how to solve the problem.

Question 79

A project vision is an image a project team holds about how the project will look upon completion,how they will work together,and how customers will accept the project.It is important that everyone have the same vision.

Question 80

The performing stage of team development is characterized by the development of close relationships and group cohesiveness.