Project teams
In Contemporary Project Management, Kloppenborg, Anantatmula, and Wells (2019) talk about the ground rules for project teams. According to the text, ground rules are the behaviors adopted by a project team to facilitate communication, team effectiveness, and improve work relationships. Kloppenborg et al. also explore several topics that form these ground rules, and they divide these topics into process and relationship topics. In my view, trust, conflict resolution, roles establishment, and decision-making are essential topics from the list.
Developing an environment of trust is one of the most important things for a project manager. Trust is essential in establishing the ground rules. Trust is also needed in the creation of a distraction-free environment, which creates a positive emotional work environment. According to Fibuch and Ahmed (2018), creating an emotional linkage within the project team is crucial for its success. Yet, the emotional connection cannot develop unless people trust each other. Also, trust is essential in creating an environment where project members can rely on others. A considerable aspect of project success depends on the ability of team members to rely on each other. In project management, the output is a product of the concerted effort of all members. Trust, therefore, is very crucial in increasing productivity. Trust is also vital in handling conflict. Conflict is often inevitable in project teams, and trust can help members put their differences aside, knowing that they are all working towards a similar course.
Conflict management is crucial in project teams, and it includes the ability to settle personal differences, compromise, and resolve conflicts. Conflict management has an impact on role establishment, trust, and decision-making. For example, conflicts can cause high emotions within the project team. It can prevent project team members from performing their tasks because it demoralizes them. Conflict also reduces trust and team cohesion. Conflicts can also threated decision-making. For example, if project team members cannot solve their differences, it is difficult to reach a consensus or the “straw poll,” as Fibuch and Ahmed (2018) call it.
Roles establishment is yet another important topic. According to Fibuch and Ahmed (2018), human resource management is among the essential components of effective management. Roles establishment helps to ensure the effective use of project team members, and it includes activities such as team-building, planning availability, and recruiting more staff (Fibuch and Ahmed, 2018). The project manager should be knowledgeable about role assignments, and he should establish roles in a predictive manner to prevent conflict. Trust and conflict management plays a vital role in role establishment. For example, it is through trust that the project team gives someone a specific task. Roles are assigned to members who are trusted to perform. Also, role establishment often creates situations of conflict. When conflicting roles arise, the project manager should effectively solve the conflict to prevent breaking the sense of trust within the project team.
Finally, the decision-making topic is also very significant in project teams. Effective decision-making takes place within the confines of trust, established roles, and conflict resolution. Every project team member must understand his/her role in the team and well as in decision-making. The team, however, must trust that every individual will make the right decisions. Even when competing views arise, the team should build on effective conflict management to resolve the competition. Team members, for instance, should have the ability to compromise their opinions in support of what is best for the team.
In summary, Kloppenborg et al. offer crucial topics that can help project managers to manage their teams effectively. While there are many topics, I believe trust, conflict resolution, roles establishment, and decision-making are the most important. These topics relate to and build on each other, and they are, therefore, inseparable.