Team Performance Improvement: Evaluation and Development Strategies
PMBOK v8 Definition
Team performance improvement is the process of evaluating the project team's overall effectiveness to identify specific training, coaching, mentoring, assistance, or changes required to enhance performance. Effective team development strategies and activities are expected to increase the team's performance, which increases the likelihood of meeting project objectives. This evaluation occurs within the Project Resource Management Knowledge Area as part of the Develop Team process.
Why It Matters for the Exam
Team performance improvement appears frequently in PMI exam questions testing your understanding of how project managers evaluate and enhance team effectiveness. Questions typically focus on identifying the correct indicators of team performance, distinguishing between evaluation methods, and recognizing when specific development interventions (training, coaching, mentoring) are appropriate based on assessment results.
Key Points to Remember (for the exam)
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Main Purpose: Identify specific training, coaching, mentoring, assistance, or changes required to improve team performance based on evaluation results
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Key Indicators of Team Effectiveness:
- Improvements in skills that allow individuals to perform assignments more effectively
- Improvements in competencies that help team members perform better as a team
- Reduced staff turnover rate
- Increased team cohesiveness where team members share information and experiences openly and help one another
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Evaluation Approach: Formal or informal assessments conducted as team development efforts are implemented
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Required Resources: The evaluation should also identify appropriate or required resources necessary to achieve and implement the improvements identified in the assessment
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Continuous Process: Team building should be continuous, not limited to initial stages; the project manager should continually monitor team functionality and performance
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Common Confusion: Do not confuse team performance evaluation (assessing overall team effectiveness) with individual performance appraisals (assessing individual team members)
Typical PMI Exam Example
A project manager notices that team members rarely share information, work in silos, and avoid helping each other with challenges. After conducting a team performance assessment, the project manager identifies that team cohesiveness is low. What should the project manager do NEXT? → Identify specific training, coaching, mentoring, or assistance required to improve the team's performance, along with the resources needed to implement these improvements.
PMI Exam Traps
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Trap: Thinking team performance evaluation is a one-time activity at project start Reality: Team performance assessment is continuous; changes in the project environment require ongoing monitoring and renewed team-building efforts
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Trap: Confusing "team performance evaluation" with "individual performance reviews" Reality: Team performance evaluation focuses on overall team effectiveness indicators (cohesiveness, turnover, collective competencies), not individual appraisals
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Trap: Assuming training is always the solution for performance gaps Reality: The evaluation identifies specific needs which may include training, coaching, mentoring, assistance, or other changes—not just training
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Trap: Believing team building ends after the forming stage Reality: Team building should be a continuous process; changes in the project environment may require renewed team-building efforts
Important PMI Connections
| Related Concept | Relationship Type | Exam Attention Point |
|---|---|---|
| Team Charter | Input to team development | Team charter establishes ground rules; team performance evaluation assesses if rules are followed |
| Develop Team Process | Parent process | Team performance improvement is the outcome of effective team development strategies |
| Team Building Activities | Method to achieve improvement | Continuous team building is essential; not just during initial project stages |
| Lessons Learned | Continuous improvement link | Promoting a culture of continuous improvement ensures lessons are captured and shared to enhance collective expertise |
| Resource Management Plan | Planning component | Identifies required resources necessary to achieve and implement performance improvements |
Quick Review Questions
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What are the four specific indicators used to evaluate a project team's effectiveness according to PMBOK v8?
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After conducting a team performance evaluation, what two things must the project management team identify?
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How does increased team cohesiveness manifest in team member behavior?
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Why should team building be a continuous process rather than limited to the initial stages of a project?
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What is the relationship between team development strategies and meeting project objectives?
PMBOK v8 Reference
Section 9.4 – Develop Team (Project Resource Management Knowledge Area)