Introduction to Human Factors in Project Management

Productive Project Team Management

Who is Strategic Human Insights?

• Organizational business consulting firm• We align talent and business to create performance

driven organizations • Founded in 2001• Over 20 years experience in delivering business

solutions• Industry experience includes professional services,

healthcare, financial services, franchise organizations, information technology firms and sales organizations

Teams

“Not Finance. Not Strategy. Not Technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate

competitive

advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare.”

Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Human Factors in Project Management

Objectives of this session• Understanding team dynamics• Putting a team together• How to manage a team

• Measuring Productivity of the team

High Performance Leadership Team Model

Purpose

Why the Team Exists

StructureWhat the Team Does

SynergiesHow Members Relate to Each

Other

High Performance Team Synergies

• Communication • Cohesion• Synergy• Trust and Respect

– Competency– Integrity– Fairness

What you are likely to encounter

• The dominant one• The enthusiastic one• The patient one• The conscientious one

The million dollar question: HOW do you get the most out of them?

The Dominant One

• Bottom line organizer• Forward looking• Initiates activity• Challenge Oriented• Innovative

Communicating with the Dominant One

• Be clear, specific and to the point• Be prepared with support material in a well

organized package or outline • Factors that create tension

– Talking about things not relevant to the specific issue

– Appearing disorganized or leaving loopholes

The Enthusiastic One

• Optimistic and enthusiastic• Creative problem solving• Motivates others toward goals• Negotiates conflict

Communicating with the Enthusiastic One

• Provide a warm and friendly environment• Don’t talk about too many details - put them in

writing• Ask “feeling” questions to draw them out• Factors that create tension

– Being curt, cold or tight lipped– Controlling the conversation– Driving on facts, figures or abstractions

The Patient One

• Dependable team player• Will work for a leader and a cause• Patient and empathetic• Logical, methodical thinker • Service oriented

Communicating with the Patient One

• Break the ice by starting with a personal comment

• Present your case non-threateningly• Ask “how” questions to draw out their opinions• Factors that create tension

– Rushing into business– Being domineering or demanding– Forcing them to respond too quickly to your

objectives

The Conscientious One

• Maintains high standards• Defines, clarifies, gets information and tests• Objective, the anchor of reality• Comprehensive problem solver

Communicating with the Conscientious One

• Prepare your case in advance• Stick to business• Be accurate/realistic• Factors that create tension

– Being casual – Pushing too hard or being unrealistic with

deadlines

Managing and Productivity

• Drive project performance management from the start – Provide clear and consistent goals

• Provide “real time” performance management feedback– Make feedback objective and provide it often

• Implement processes that are consistent, transparent and enforceable – Let the individuals have input into the process

• Tie project performance to organizational goals and objectives– If the business changes, change the performance

goals of the project

Final Thoughts on Teams

• Everyone will contribute in their own way – leaders should help individuals be productive

• Help team members get to know each other so they can be productive faster

• Address conflicts early if they arise– Provide feedback early and often

• Allow the team to self manage once they hit their stride – Accountability is key for each team member

Questions&

Answers

For more information please contact:

Vicki Z. Lauter

vicki@strategichumaninsights.com

404-978-2616

866-258-2998