PROJECT MANAGER ESSENTIALS
MANAGING TEAMS
As a Project Manager, effective team mangement is utmost necessary. This section introduces to the various methodologies and techniques that can help teams excel. A project manger's role is to drive the teams towards the common goal. Effective communication bridges the gap that usually exists amongst different teams. If the teams exist virtually, the role of a Project Manger increases even more.
TEAM EFFECTIVENESS MODEL
A team is said to effective when collectively the goal is accomplished and if team members' satisfaction level is high.
Organizational and Team Environment-
Team mebers tend to work together if they are rewarded for team performance.Communication and the organisational structure play an important part in teams being productive. As a Project manager, communicating the requirements and tasks efficiently is necessary.Also face-to-face communication ensures that the work is done effectively.
Team Design Elements-
As projects often require cross functional teams to interact, task interdependence is high. Complex team sizes can often fail, hence focus should be laid on team planning. The roles and responsibilities should also be allocated on the basis of skills and competencies. A Project Manager must seek the following 5 C's:
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Coordinating
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Cooperating
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Communicating
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Comforting
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Conflict resolving
Team Processes-
One of the most popular team development models which is applicable in every kind of project teams is shown below. It is a set of 5- stages that every team goes through in order to become high performing.
1. Forming - It is the orientation stage wherein members learn about each other. Members usually avoid conflict and try to fit into the team.
2. Storming - Interpersonal conflicts become more proactive in this stage.Norms are usually established in teams to minimize conflicts and ensure smooth flow.
3. Norming - This stage is associated with team cohesion. A mental model of team is created .
4. Performing - The teams now cohesively perform well. Conflicts are resolved effectively and comittment towards group goal is high.
5. Adjourning- This is the last stage of teams where the team focus shifts to personal relations. This usually occurs during project closure.
(McShane and Glinow, 2013)
(McShane and Glinow, 2013)
Five Dysfunctions of a Team
(Lencioni, 2007)