PMP Managing Project Teams 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project manager is dealing with a team member who habitually arrives late to meetings. After private coaching, the behavior continues. What is the NEXT step?
- Remove the team member from all future meetings
- Document the behavior and escalate to the functional manager per organizational policy (Correct answer)
- Reassign the team member's most interesting tasks as punishment
- Send a group email to the entire team about punctuality
Correct answer: Document the behavior and escalate to the functional manager per organizational policy
After private coaching fails, formal documentation and escalation through HR or functional management is the appropriate next step.
Question 2: In a matrix organization, a team member receives conflicting instructions from both the project manager and the functional manager. Who should resolve this conflict?
- The team member must choose which instruction to follow
- The project manager alone has authority and overrides the functional manager
- Both managers should meet to negotiate and resolve the conflict (Correct answer)
- The conflict should be ignored as it is common in matrix organizations
Correct answer: Both managers should meet to negotiate and resolve the conflict
In a matrix organization, conflicts between project and functional managers should be resolved through negotiation between the managers, not left to the team member.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST describes a 'ground rule' in the context of managing project teams?
- A legal contract binding team members to project deliverables
- An agreed-upon behavioral expectation that governs how the team will interact and work together (Correct answer)
- A technical specification for project deliverables
- A mandatory government regulation for project execution
Correct answer: An agreed-upon behavioral expectation that governs how the team will interact and work together
Ground rules are team agreements on acceptable behaviors and working norms, established collaboratively to build accountability.
Question 4: A project manager receives feedback that team morale is low because team members feel their work isn't recognized. According to the PMBOK, what tool addresses this MOST directly?
- Resource leveling
- Recognition and rewards systems (Correct answer)
- Colocation strategy
- Conflict management plan
Correct answer: Recognition and rewards systems
Recognition and rewards systems are specifically designed to acknowledge contributions and boost morale and motivation.
Question 5: A project manager is using the 'Theory X and Theory Y' framework. A Theory Y manager believes team members are BEST described as:
- Inherently lazy and requiring close supervision and control
- Self-motivated, creative, and capable of self-direction when committed to goals (Correct answer)
- Motivated only by financial incentives and job security
- Untrustworthy and needing constant monitoring to perform
Correct answer: Self-motivated, creative, and capable of self-direction when committed to goals
McGregor's Theory Y assumes employees are intrinsically motivated and capable of self-management when given the right environment.
Question 6: During project execution, a team member reports that another team member has been taking credit for their work in status meetings. How should the project manager handle this?
- Dismiss the concern as a personal matter outside the project manager's scope
- Meet privately with both parties to understand the situation and clarify contribution expectations (Correct answer)
- Publicly announce who did the work in the next team meeting
- Transfer the complaining team member to avoid further conflict
Correct answer: Meet privately with both parties to understand the situation and clarify contribution expectations
A private, impartial discussion with both parties addresses the interpersonal conflict fairly and preserves team relationships.
Question 7: Which output of the 'Develop Team' process directly reflects improvements in team capabilities and performance over time?
- Project charter updates
- Team performance assessments (Correct answer)
- Procurement documents
- Stakeholder engagement plan
Correct answer: Team performance assessments
Team performance assessments evaluate the effectiveness of team development efforts and track improvements in individual and team performance.
PMP Managing Project Teams 5
A project manager is dealing with a team member who habitually arrives late to meetings.
After private coaching, the behavior continues.
What is the NEXT step?