PROJ 587 Week 6 Quiz
Question 1. (TCO D) As a project manager, dealing with conflict is part of the job. Based on the Week 4 reading and lecture, what managerial actions/structures will help minimize conflict? Sha
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PROJ 587 Week 6 Quiz
Question 1. (TCO D) As a project manager, dealing with conflict is part of the job. Based on the Week 4 reading and lecture, what managerial actions/structures will help minimize conflict? Share a personal experience that illustrates one of the actions/structures.
Answer: Managers can do these things to help minimize conflict: Regularly Review Job Descriptions, can help provide input from your employees and ensure there is no job falling in the cracks. Intentionally build relationships with subordinates will help employees have a sense inclusion and not that you're just managing from above. Regularly written status reports will help keep everyone in the loop and provide everyone a sense of accomplishments as to where they are in the project. Provide basic training about interpersonal skills and conflict management to help your team work more collaboratively. Develop procedures about routine tasks, this will allow everyone on the team to know how exactly they should accomplish their roles. One example of how in my experience in some of these aspects is my Vice President works to have quarterly outings with our team. These outings allow us to get to know each other on another level outside of being at work. He makes it a point to ask each person how things are going not just professionally but also personally. He even makes it a point through out the week to ask how things are going with our children or families. Be being able to do this there is a sense a trust we build within the team and makes us feel more like a family.
Instructor Explanation:
Key Managerial Actions/Structures to Minimize Conflicts
a) Regularly review job descriptions. Get your employee's input on them.
Ensure that
o job roles do not conflict; and
o no tasks "fall in a crack."
b) Intentionally build relationships with all subordinates.
o Meet at least once a month alone with them in an office.
o Ask about accomplishments, challenges, and issues.
c) Get regular written status reports that describe
o accomplishments;
o current issues and needs from management; and
o plans for the upcoming period.
d) Conduct basic training about
o interpersonal communications;
o conflict management; and
o delegation.
e) Develop procedures for routine tasks and include the employees' input.
o Have employees write procedures when possible and appropriate.
o Get employees' review of the procedures.
o Distribute the procedures.
o Train employees about the procedures.
f) Develop procedures for routine tasks and include the employees' input.
(TCO E) Based on your reading and research, list at least five reasons why teams fail and discuss what can be done to prevent failure from happening.
Student Answer: Five reasons teams fail: Team lacks clear vision or purpose Team members don't hold each other accountable for their work Teams do not have shared leadership Team processes are not well documented or implemented Teams have too much or too little autonomy To prevent failure is be as transparent as possible, provide clear expectations so every one knows their part, document everything to help share responsibility and help create processes that are meaningful and share a sense of responsibility to each team member and embrace collaboration.
Instructor Explanation:
The student’s answer may include causes other than those in the list.
• External causes:
o Work load assigned is not project related
o Lack of organizational support
o Unachievable project goal
• Internal causes:
o Poor team dynamics
o Poor team leadership
o Scope creep
o Lack of planning
o Lack of skill set
o Lack of team cohesion
o Unproductive meetings
Question 3. Question :
(TCO F) The PMI® Code of Ethics is made up of four areas: responsibility, honesty, respect, and fairness. Discuss the area of respect and what it means for you, the project manager.
Student Answer: The dictionary defines respect as a sense of admiration for a
person/thing as a result of their abilities, qualities and achievements. For me I wouldn't necessarily say this is how I very respect, the way I view respect is by sharing a sense of responsibility with someone and allowing for trust on each level. As for a project manager, I think respect should be earned by being respectful of the people who are working with you. The more you trust your people, the more your people will trust you which will grant mutual respect. Its not just about being the best person for the job its about being empathetic to the people you work with and allowing for each person to share a sense of accomplishment, without knock people down a peg or taking their ideas and running with them as your own.
Instructor Student’s answer may include qualities other than those listed below.
Explanation: This includes respect for resources. This means treating resources (material and human) with care and consideration, listening to other opinions and points of view, not being abusive towards others, and handling conflict calmly. If you do not treat resources with respect, other managers will not want to share their resources. A good rule is to always return resources on time and, if possible, in better condition than when you received them. You should also show respect for yourself by expecting others to treat you with respect.
Question 4. Question :
(TCO F) When developing a stakeholder matrix, the portfolio manager must look at the portfolio sponsor in order to complete the stakeholder analysis. In your own words, what is the role, interest and expectations of the sponsor?
Student Answer: A portfolio sponsor role is to be the main champion of the project. This person is the best for the role because their interest revolves around the fact that he/she believes that this project will help make the company become better and knows that it follows the strategic vision of the organization. The sponsor expectations is to be at the highest level of the project and is the leader shall communicate not only to stakeholders but the project team to help move the project forward. They should be able to inspire each individual to also champion the project to help push the change forward. After all the project sponsor is the person who believes in this change and should be able to enable everyone to embrace that change.
Instructor Explanation:
Chapter 7, pg. 111 table 7-2. The project sponsor provides funding, resources and high-level scoping. The interest is in the benefits and outcomes that meet the organizations goals. Sponsors expect to be informed regularly of the portfolio ROI, milestones, risk, cost and schedule.
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