Chapter 12: Team Development

Overview

The project team is the fundamental staffing unit within the project management environment. When there is more than one person assigned to a project effort, a project team is formed either formally or informally. As project size and complexity grows, so does team size and complexity. A two- or three-person project team will benefit from team development activities. A larger, more diverse, and possibly geographically separated project team distinctly requires team development support to ensure project success.

The PMO can facilitate team development by establishing the procedures that help project teams to be formed and that help govern their development and performance. As well, the PMO can help project managers to develop and apply project team leadership and management concepts and practices consistent with industry standards and with the relevant organization's guidance for resource management.

This "team development" function enables the PMO to:

• Establish practices for developing cohesive project teams

• Develop guidance for performance of geographically separated teams

• Introduce team development tools and techniques for use by project managers

• Monitor and manage project team performance improvement initiatives

The PMO will be able to achieve this functionality by working closely with key project managers within the relevant organization to incorporate their input and recommendations surrounding project team development needs. It also can gain insight from ongoing examination of team activities from the perspective of project team members, who are charged with contributing to cohesive team performance.