Project Team Management: Developing Skills Through Training and Coaching

PMBOK v8 Definition

Project Team Management involves developing individual and team competencies to enhance project performance. Training methods include classroom, online, computer-based, on-the-job training from another project team member, mentoring, and coaching. If project team members lack necessary management or technical skills, such skills can be developed as part of the project work. This process falls under the Executing Process Group and the Resource Management Knowledge Area.

Why It Matters for the Exam

The PMI exam frequently tests your understanding of when and how training occurs in a project—specifically the distinction between scheduled and unplanned training. Questions appear in situational scenarios where a team member lacks a required skill, and you must select the correct training approach or identify where training costs are allocated.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

Two Types of Training: Scheduled training takes place as stated in the resource management plan. Unplanned training takes place as a result of observation, conversation, and project performance appraisals conducted during management of the project team.
Training Cost Allocation: Training costs could be included in the project budget or supported by the performing organization if the added skills may be useful for future projects.
Training Providers: Training may be performed by in-house or external trainers.
Skill Development Responsibility: This responsibility may be taken by the project management team, functional managers, PMOs, line managers of team members, or by each individual team member themself.
Development Methods: Skill development involves identifying individual learning needs and integrating competency development into the project's workflow. Effective project management teams create opportunities for individuals to take on challenges that stretch their skills and provide constructive feedback.
Continuous Improvement Culture: Promoting a culture of continuous improvement and reflective practice helps ensure lessons learned are captured and shared, enhancing the team's collective expertise.
Team Operations Tools: Facilitating project team communication, problem-solving, and consensus building includes developing a project team charter and a set of operating guidelines or project team norms.

Typical PMI Exam Example

A project manager notices during a performance appraisal that a junior developer lacks proficiency in a critical programming language needed for an upcoming deliverable. The resource management plan did not include training for this skill. What should the project manager do?

Correct approach: Conduct unplanned training based on the observation, using either in-house or external trainers, and determine if costs should come from the project budget or the performing organization.

PMI Exam Traps

Trap: Confusing scheduled training with unplanned training → Reality: Scheduled training is documented in the resource management plan; unplanned training arises from observations, conversations, and performance appraisals during project team management.
Trap: Assuming all training costs must be in the project budget → Reality: Training costs can be supported by the performing organization if the added skills may be useful for future projects.
Trap: Thinking only the project manager is responsible for team skill development → Reality: This responsibility may be taken by functional managers, PMOs, line managers, or individual team members themselves.
Trap: Confusing "training" with "coaching" as separate concepts → Reality: Both are valid training methods listed together with classroom, online, computer-based, and on-the-job training from another project team member.

Important PMI Connections

Related Concept	Relationship Type	Exam Attention Point
Resource Management Plan	Input to training decisions	Scheduled training is documented here; unplanned training is not
Project Performance Appraisals	Trigger for unplanned training	Observations during appraisals can identify skill gaps requiring immediate training
Team Charter	Complementary tool	Developing team norms and operating guidelines supports effective team operations alongside skill development
Lessons Learned	Continuous improvement output	Capturing and sharing lessons learned enhances collective expertise from training experiences

Quick Review Questions

A project team member is struggling with a technical skill that was not anticipated in the resource management plan. During a conversation with the project manager, the skill gap becomes apparent. What type of training should be used?
The performing organization offers to pay for training that will make a team member more valuable for future projects. Where should these training costs be allocated?
A functional manager identifies that a team member needs coaching in stakeholder communication. Who is responsible for initiating this development?
During project execution, the project manager observes that the team is not collaborating effectively. What tool can help address this issue according to PMBOK v8?
A project team member completes a training course and gains a new skill. What practice should the project management team promote to ensure this knowledge benefits the entire team?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 9.4 - Develop Team (Executing Process Group, Resource Management Knowledge Area)