Project Activities Team: Management and Leadership in Project Performance

PMBOK v8 Definition

The Project Activities Team encompasses both management and leadership activities essential for meeting project objectives. Management activities focus on the means of meeting project objectives such as having effective processes, planning, coordinating, measuring, and monitoring work. Leadership activities focus on people and encompass influencing, motivating, listening, enabling, and other activities related to leading the project team, all of which are important in delivering the intended project outcomes. The project manager should be sensitive to the willingness and ability of team members to perform their work and should adjust their management and leadership styles to account for these factors as needed.

Why It Matters for the Exam

This concept appears frequently in situational leadership and team development questions on the PMI exam. It tests your ability to distinguish between management activities (process-focused) and leadership activities (people-focused) and to select the appropriate approach based on team member readiness. Expect questions asking which activity a project manager should perform in a given scenario.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

Two Core Activity Types: Management activities focus on processes (planning, coordinating, measuring, monitoring work). Leadership activities focus on people (influencing, motivating, listening, enabling).
Project Manager's Dual Role: The project manager is responsible for team formation and operation as an effective group, investing effort in acquiring, managing, motivating, and empowering the project team.
Adaptive Leadership: The project manager must adjust their management and leadership styles based on the willingness and ability of team members to perform their work.
Common Aspects of Team Development: Regardless of structure, team development includes vision and objectives as fundamental components.
People Are Not Numbers: Project management is more than working with templates, charts, and computing systems—a common denominator in all projects is people.
Leadership for All: Leadership skills are useful for all project team members, whether operating in centralized authority or shared leadership environments.
Vision Establishment: Understanding the project purpose is critical for people to commit time and energy; the project vision summarizes the project's purpose clearly and succinctly.

Typical PMI Exam Example

A project manager notices that team members are struggling with task execution despite having clear instructions. The team seems disengaged and lacks motivation. What should the project manager do first?

Correct approach: Shift from management activities (process focus) to leadership activities (influencing, motivating, enabling) by understanding team member concerns and adjusting leadership style to account for their willingness and ability to perform.

PMI Exam Traps

Trap: Confusing management activities with leadership activities
Reality: Management = processes, planning, coordinating, measuring, monitoring. Leadership = influencing, motivating, listening, enabling people.
Trap: Assuming the project manager only needs management skills
Reality: The project manager needs BOTH management and leadership skills, and must adapt their style based on team member readiness.
Trap: Thinking leadership is only for the project manager
Reality: Leadership skills are useful for ALL project team members, regardless of the authority environment.
Trap: Overlooking team development common aspects
Reality: Vision and objectives are common aspects of team development that must be established regardless of how management activities are structured.

Important PMI Connections

Related Concept	Relationship Type	Exam Attention Point
Lead the Team Process	Direct process containing both activity types	Know that Lead the Team involves both management and leadership activities to influence team behavior, manage conflict, and resolve issues
Project Manager Role	Primary performer of these activities	The project manager is responsible for team formation, operation, and adjusting styles based on team member readiness
Team Development	Outcome of effective activities	Common aspects include vision and objectives; improving competencies and team interactions enhances project performance
Organizational Change Management	Influencing factor	Internal/external politics, cultural issues, and organizational uniqueness alter project performance and require leadership adaptation

Quick Review Questions

What are the two main categories of activities in the Lead the Team process, and what does each focus on?
How should a project manager adjust their approach based on team member willingness and ability?
What are the common aspects of team development regardless of how management activities are structured?
Why are leadership skills important for all project team members, not just the project manager?
What is the role of vision in project team leadership according to PMBOK v8?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 2.6.2.4 - Lead the Team Process: Management and Leadership Activities Section 2.6.2.4.1 - Common Aspects of Team Development Section 2.6.2.4 - Leadership Skills and Traits