Role of the Project Manager

Question 1

Name the different powers of a Project Manager.

Answer 1

• Legitimate (or Formal) - Reward - Punitive (or Coercive) - Expert - Referent

Question 2

What are the various positional powers of a Project Manager?

Answer 2

• Legitimate (or Formal) - Reward - Punitive (or Coercive)

Question 3

What are the various personal powers of a Project Manager?

Answer 3

• Expert - Referent

Question 4

Which is the best form of power for a Project Manager?

Answer 4

The best form of power depends upon the situation and the maturity level of the project manager. Generally speaking, personal powers (such as Expert and Referent) are better than positional powers (such as Legitimate, Reward and Punitive).

Question 5

Reputation of a project manager is an example of which form of power?

Answer 5

Expert Power

Question 6

Which form of power of a Project Manager is unlikely to buy commitment from team members?

Answer 6

Punitive (or Coercive) Power

Question 7

Which forms of power of a Project Manager are most effective in getting commitment from team members?

Answer 7

Expert Power and Referent Power

Question 8

Which forms of power of a Project Manager are most effective in getting compliance from team members?

Answer 8

Legitimate Power and Reward Power

Question 9

Who holds more power in a matrix organization - Functional Managers or Project Managers?

Answer 9

Functional managers, because they control human resources directly and provide a permanent “home base” for project personnel to return to, after completion of the project.

Question 10

Which form of power of a Project Manager is the worst choice in most situations?

Answer 10

Punitive (or Coercive) Power

Question 11

Which form of power is derived from the experience of a Project Manager?

Answer 11

Expert Power

Question 12

What is the total power of a project manager?

Answer 12

Total Power = Positional Power + Personal Power

Question 13

A Project Manager is able to get work done from a team member ahead of schedule because they are Tennis buddies. This is an example of which form of power of the project manager?

Answer 13

Referent Power

Question 14

Which project document grants formal powers to a Project Manager?

Answer 14

The Project Charter

Question 15

Give an example of Indirect Power.

Answer 15

Contacts/network power (a form of power derived from alliance or contacts with someone influential in the organization)

Question 16

What form of power is gained through flattery or other common ground?

Answer 16

Ingratiating

Question 17

What is the commonality between leadership and management?

Answer 17

Both are about being able to get things done.

Question 18

Which power is associated with Management?

Answer 18

Positional Power

Question 19

Which power is associated with Leadership?

Answer 19

Relational Power

Question 20

Managers ____________ status quo, whereas leaders ____________ status quo.

Answer 20

Managers <u>accept</u> status quo, whereas leaders <u>challenge</u> status quo.

Question 21

Who are the change agents in an organization?

Answer 21

The Project Managers are the change agents in an organization.

Question 22

What are the three legs of the PMI Talent Triangle?

Answer 22

• Technical project management - Leadership - Strategic and business management

Question 23

Name any three leadership skills that a project manager should possess?

Answer 23

• Negotiation - Resilience - Communication - Problem solving - Critical thinking - Interpersonal skills

Question 24

Who provides direction and vision of success for the project?

Answer 24

The Project Manager

Question 25

Top project managers spend about 90% of their time on a project in _____________.

Answer 25

Top project managers spend about 90% of their time on a project in <u>communicating</u>.

Question 26

A project manager may be involved in benefits realization activities even after the project is complete. True or False?

Answer 26

True. A project manager may be involved in follow-on activities related to realizing business benefits from the project.

Question 27

What are the traits of top 2% project managers?

Answer 27

Superior relationship and communication skills while displaying a positive attitude.

Question 28

In order to be the most effective, project managers need to have a balance of which three skill sets?

Answer 28

• Technical project management - Leadership - Business Intelligence (strategic and business management)

Question 29

What is Situational power?

Answer 29

The power gained due to unique situation such as a specific crisis.

Question 30

What is Relational power?

Answer 30

The power gained through networking, connections, and alliances.

Question 31

Project managers need to employ both __________ and management in order to be successful.

Answer 31

Project managers need to employ both <u>leadership</u> and management in order to be successful.

Question 32

What style of leadership is associated with Agile projects?

Answer 32

Servant leader

Question 33

What are the traits of a transactional leader?

Answer 33

A transactional leader focuses on goals, feedback, and accomplishment to determine rewards.

Question 34

What are the traits of a servant leader?

Answer 34

A servant leader demonstrates commitment to serve and put other people first.

Question 35

What is the term to describe leaders who empower followers through idealized attributes and behaviors?

Answer 35

Transformational

Question 36

What is Interactional leadership?

Answer 36

It is a combination of transactional, transformational, and charismatic leadership styles.

Question 37

What are the three dimensions of complexity in projects?

Answer 37

• System behavior - Human behavior - Ambiguity

Question 38

What is the difference between Power and Authority?

Answer 38

Power is the ability to get things done, whereas Authority is the formal power derived from one’s position in the organization.