What is the role of the project manager?
09-December-2024
How to define project requirements
12-January-2025
6 – PROJECT TEAMS
Even in the earliest stages of a project there needs to be a team of people to get things done. The make-up, size and expertise of the team will vary throughout the project’s life, but the basic principles of what a project team means stay consistent. We must know how to build and manage a project team.
Selecting and leading the right combination of skills and styles is crucial. That way we can produce a result as impressive as the Red Arrows flying in formation with the Cold War Avro Vulcan at an air show seen in the video titles.
People make the project happen
6.1 – The project is the team
Understand why the team is so important for any project, and how working on a project is different from ordinary work.
The team must be able to bring to bear necessary skills and know-how for the project and work cooperatively. Find out about the Tuckman and Jensen team development model, which is a very effective tool helping achieve this.
The story of the GM Hummer H2 exemplifies the power of a great team, even though the outcome of the project was a disappointment.
You will learn:
- Why a project needs a special approach.
- Why a team is important in a project.
- What is the difference between a group and a team.
- What are the challenges of building a project team.
- What are the challenges of sustaining a project team.
- What are the stages of team development in a project.
- What is the Tuckman and Jensen team development model.
- What is punctuated equilibrium in a project.
- What is the Connie Gersick punctuated equilibrium model.
Putting together a great team
6.2 – Building the team
See how to identify the competences needed from the team to accomplish the project goals. Understand the different types of people who will make up a team.
Understand the different types of people who will make up a team.
You will learn:
- What are the priorities in building a project team.
- What are the components of someone’s personality.
- What is a competency framework.
- How can a competency framework be used in a project.
- Why we need A players and B players in a project.
- Why followers in a project are important.
- How we recruit team members for a project.
Towards top team performance
6.3 – Fostering the team
Learn how to bring a team together. See how to bring out the positive in the different characteristics individuals bring to the project. Understand how to make room for some fun everyone can enjoy.
You will learn:
- What are the characteristics of a successful project team.
- How you get the project team to gel.
- How you achieve top team performance in a project.
- How you get a high performing team in a project.
- How you handle mistakes in a project.
- What types of follower there are in a project.
- What is the best way to get project team members to collaborate.
- How to keep the project team focused.
- How to achieve harmony and insight within the team.
- How to achieve diversity, equity and inclusivity in a project team.
- How to promote a positive atmosphere in a project team?
- How to have fun in a project.
How people perform best when they fit best
6.4 – Bringing out the best in people
People do best when they are in roles they can do with confidence. Discover the Belbin team role analysis and other methods which help design the project organisation, so people complement each other and stressful relationships are avoided.
Find out how to manage introverts and mavericks, who can bring invaluable contributions.
You will learn:
- How to train project teams for success.
- How to manage introverts in a project.
- How to manage mavericks in a project.
- What are Belbin team roles.
- What is the Belbin team roles framework.
- How to find your Belbin team role.
- How to get the best combinations of Belbin team roles.
How to make culture a positive force
6.5 – Project culture
Building on the principles set out by Hofstede, see how to build a project working culture which enables mutual respect and harmony, yet is focused on the project goal. See why honest mistakes should be treated as opportunities for learning.
You will learn:
- What we mean by culture.
- What is a culture in an organisation.
- What are the components of someone’s culture.
- How organisational culture is arrived at.
- What are the elements of organisational culture.
- How to be sensitive to culture in projects.
Keeping up the momentum
6.6 – Motivating the team
A project team should feel a motivated to deliver the output successfully and through that achieve personal satisfaction. Learn how Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s hygiene factors are helpful in aiming to achieve that.
Learn how to recognise how stressful conditions can arise, and understand how to counter that.
You will learn:
- What is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model.
- How to provide the best working environment for project team members.
- How to motivate project teams and keep people motivated.
- How to give instructions to project team members.
- How to deal with stress in a project team.
- What rewards motivate people best.