Deck 11: Managing Project Team

Question 1

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 1

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 2

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.

Answer 2

D
Explanation: Instead of managers selecting team members, high performance is more likely to develop when members volunteer to serve on the project team.

Question 3

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

Answer 3

A
Explanation: The norming stage is one in which close relationships develop and the group demonstrates cohesiveness.Feelings of camaraderie and shared responsibility for the project are heightened.

Question 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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.

Question 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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?

Question 20

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 21

When project teams get too used to not having to go through normal approvals to get things done, this is called

A)Going Native.
B)Bureaucratic Bypass Syndrome.
C)Team Infatuation.
D)Groupthink.

Question 22

When a team is able to use identified individual talents to meet a projects given needs is a common characteristic of

A)Resource Allocation.
B)Scheduling.
C)Synergy.
D)Budgeting.

Question 23

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 24

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 25

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 26

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

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

Challenges to managing geographically distributed team are

A)Developing trust.
B)Keeping time-zones straight.
C)Effective communication.
D)Developing trust and effective communication.

Question 29

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 30

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 31

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 32

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 33

While some conflict can be beneficial, the absence of conflict can mask

A)Project mistakes.
B)Lowered customer expectations.
C)Useful information.
D)All of these choices are correct.

Question 34

When dysfunctional conflict is identified, one of the ways to deal with it is to

A)Impose an arbitrated solution.
B)Show understanding and support.
C)Escalate it up the management chain.
D)Encourage the conflict.

Question 35

High performing teams can

A)Create breakthrough products.
B)Exceed customer expectations.
C)Complete projects ahead of schedule and under budget.
D)All of these choices are correct.

Question 36

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 37

Symptoms of groupthink include

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

Question 38

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 39

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 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

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 42

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

Question 43

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 44

The use of 6:30
A.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 45

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

Question 46

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 47

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

Question 48

________ 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 49

When a project team will only consider a couple of solutions and ignore alternatives, this is ___________ which is a symptom of Groupthink.

A)Direct Pressure
B)Illusion of Invulnerability
C)Negative Stereotypes of Outsiders
D)Whitewash of Critical Thinking

Question 50

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

Question 51

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 52

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

Question 53

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

Question 54

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

Question 55

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

Question 56

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 57

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 58

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

Question 59

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

Question 60

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

Question 61

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

Question 62

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

Question 63

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

Question 64

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

Question 65

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

Question 66

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 67

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

Question 68

Synergy can be both negative as well as positive.

Question 69

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 70

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

Question 71

Project managers should manage ___________ conflict.

Question 72

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

Question 73

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

Question 74

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

Question 75

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 76

Project managers and team members have to recognize the _________________ they are operating under in order to do the best that they can.

Question 77

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

Question 78

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

Question 79

Project managers should encourage ___________ conflict.

Question 80

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