PMP Exam Situational Questions People Domain #1 (Deep Review)

Summary

This video script offers a concise walkthrough of PMP-style questions, focusing on the People domain. It discusses conflict management and team leadership in diverse settings, emphasizing the importance of addressing issues to ensure project progress. The script guides viewers on eliminating incorrect options and choosing the best course of action, such as facilitating discussions for conflict resolution and conducting one-on-one meetings for inclusivity. It also highlights the typical structure of PMP exam questions and the need for understanding the underlying concepts rather than memorizing them.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video script is a tutorial on PMP (Project Management Professional) style questions, focusing on the People domain and conflict management.
• 📚 The first task discussed is about managing conflict between team members with differing approaches, emphasizing the need for the project manager to take action to ensure project progress.
• 🤝 The recommended approach for the first task is to facilitate a discussion between team members to find a mutually agreeable solution, aligning with problem-solving techniques.
• 🚫 The script advises against options like assigning the task to a different team member or letting the team resolve the conflict on their own, as they do not address the conflict at its root.
• 🧐 The second task is about leading a diverse team and ensuring all members feel valued and heard, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diversity in project management.
• 🗣️ The best practice for the second task is to conduct regular one-on-one meetings with each team member to ensure they have a platform to be heard and their needs are addressed.
• 🤔 The script points out the importance of using the process of elimination and understanding the underlying concepts behind the options presented in PMP exam questions.
• 📉 The video also explains that many PMP exam questions will have a 'kicker' asking what the project manager should do next, which is a key phrase to recognize and prepare for.
• 🔍 The script encourages viewers to look beyond the surface of the options and understand the deeper strategies implied, such as problem-solving, forcing, smoothing, and avoiding.
• 📈 The purpose of the video is not to provide a large number of questions but to sensitize viewers to the structure of PMP exam questions and the thought process required to answer them effectively.
• 🎓 The presenter offers additional resources, including a boot camp and a comprehensive book, for those seeking to deepen their understanding of PMP exam material and improve their test-taking skills.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script provided?

The video script focuses on explaining PMP (Project Management Professional) style questions, particularly from the 'People' domain, and how to approach them using the process of elimination and understanding the structure of the questions.

Why is it important to quickly identify options that are not suitable in PMP exam questions?

Quickly identifying unsuitable options helps in narrowing down the choices and making an informed decision faster, which is crucial in a timed exam setting like the PMP exam.

What is the significance of the phrase 'what should the project manager do next' in PMP exam questions?

The phrase 'what should the project manager do next' is a common 'kicker' in PMP exam questions, indicating the next action to be taken by the project manager in the given scenario, and it is essential for test-takers to be familiar with this pattern.

How does the script suggest addressing a conflict between team members in a project?

The script suggests facilitating a discussion between the team members to find a mutually agreeable solution, which aligns with the problem-solving approach in conflict management.

What is the recommended action for a project manager to ensure all team members from different cultural backgrounds feel valued and heard?

The script recommends conducting regular one-on-one meetings with each team member to ensure they feel valued and heard, as it provides a platform for individual expression and attention.

Why is assigning work based on cultural background not a recommended approach according to the script?

Assigning work based on cultural background can lead to stereotyping and exclusion, which goes against the principles of diversity and inclusion in a team.

What does the script imply about the importance of understanding the underlying concepts behind PMP exam question options?

The script implies that understanding the underlying concepts, such as problem-solving, forcing, smoothing, and compromising, is crucial for interpreting the options provided in PMP exam questions correctly.

How does the script describe the anatomy of PMP exam questions?

The script describes the anatomy of PMP exam questions as having a scenario, a problem or need, and a 'kicker' asking what the project manager should do next, followed by options that may or may not invoke technical project management concepts.

What is the purpose of the video script in relation to the PMP exam preparation?

The purpose of the video script is to sensitize viewers to the structure of PMP exam questions, the types of answers that are typically correct, and how to use the process of elimination effectively during the exam.

What additional resource does the script mention for further clarity on answering PMP exam questions?

The script mentions a boot camp and a book titled 'Scenarios for the PMP Exam' as additional resources for further clarity on answering PMP exam questions.

How can one access the mentioned boot camp and other resources for PMP exam preparation?

The script suggests visiting HPMexam.com for the boot camp and other resources, where one can find details about the curriculum, upcoming sessions, and how to sign up.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Conflict Management in Teams

The first paragraph introduces a PMP-style question about conflict management within a project team. An experienced project manager observes disagreements between team members and must address the issue to ensure project progress. The script guides the audience through the process of elimination to find the best course of action, which is facilitating a discussion between the team members to find a mutually agreeable solution. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the different conflict resolution techniques and the need to take action to prevent project delays.

05:02

🌟 Ensuring Inclusivity in Diverse Teams

The second paragraph discusses a PMP-style question focused on leading a diverse team and ensuring all members feel valued and heard. The script eliminates options that do not directly address the need for team members to feel heard, such as organizing social events or assigning work based on cultural background. The best answer is conducting regular one-on-one meetings with each team member, which ensures they have an opportunity to be heard and their needs are addressed. The explanation highlights the importance of inclusivity and the avoidance of stereotyping in team management.

10:04

📚 Understanding the Anatomy of PMP Questions

The third paragraph delves into the structure of PMP exam questions, particularly those related to team management and conflict resolution. It explains the common format of these questions, which typically include a scenario, a problem or need, and the prompt 'what should the project manager do next?'. The script advises the audience on how to interpret the options and identify the underlying conflict resolution strategies, such as problem-solving or forcing. It also mentions the importance of not relying on cramming but understanding the concepts behind the questions.

15:05

👋 Closing Remarks and Further Resources

The final paragraph serves as a closing to the video script, offering well-wishes to the audience and providing information on additional resources for PMP exam preparation. It mentions a boot camp that covers the entire syllabus and provides a 100-page book for further study. The script encourages viewers to visit HPMexam.com for details on the boot camp and to prepare for the PMP exam effectively.

Keywords

💡PMP

PMP stands for Project Management Professional, which is a globally recognized certification in the field of project management. It signifies that the individual has the knowledge, skills, and experience to manage projects effectively. In the video, PMP is the main subject, as the speaker is discussing PMP-style questions and strategies for passing the PMP exam.

💡Conflict Management

Conflict management refers to the process of addressing and resolving disagreements between team members in a project environment. It is a key skill for project managers. In the script, the speaker discusses a PMP exam question about managing conflict between team members, emphasizing the importance of addressing the conflict to ensure project progress.

💡Team Member

A team member is an individual who is part of a project team and contributes to the completion of project tasks. The script mentions team members in the context of conflict and how a project manager should handle disagreements among them to maintain project momentum.

💡Project Manager

A project manager is the person responsible for the planning, execution, and closing of all stages of a project. The video script frequently refers to the project manager's role in resolving team conflicts and ensuring that all team members feel valued and heard, which are critical aspects of project management.

💡Diverse Team

A diverse team is composed of individuals from different cultural backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The script discusses the importance of a project manager ensuring that all members of a diverse team feel equally valued and heard, which is essential for effective team collaboration.

💡Cultural Backgrounds

Cultural backgrounds refer to the unique cultural identities, values, and norms that individuals bring to a team from their upbringing or environment. In the script, the speaker mentions the importance of a project manager being aware of and valuing the different cultural backgrounds of team members to foster inclusivity.

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is the process of identifying, analyzing, and finding solutions to issues or conflicts. The video script suggests that facilitating a discussion between team members to find a mutually agreeable solution is a form of problem solving, which is a recommended approach for conflict management in project management.

💡One-on-One Meetings

One-on-one meetings are private sessions between a manager and an individual team member. The speaker in the script highlights the importance of conducting regular one-on-one meetings as a way for a project manager to ensure that each team member feels heard and valued.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity refers to the practice of including everyone, ensuring no one feels excluded from a team or process. The script discusses how a project manager should promote inclusivity, particularly in a diverse team, to ensure that all team members feel valued and heard.

💡Process of Elimination

The process of elimination is a strategy used to solve multiple-choice questions by systematically ruling out incorrect options. The speaker in the script advises using this method to tackle PMP exam questions, emphasizing its effectiveness in identifying the correct answer.

Highlights

Emphasizes the importance of addressing team conflicts promptly to avoid hindering project progress.

Encourages the use of problem-solving and facilitating discussions as key strategies in conflict resolution.

Identifies the importance of not reassigning tasks as it can allow underlying conflicts to fester.

Mentions that mentoring team members based on the project manager’s own experience may not always be the best approach.

Highlights that involving the project team in conflict resolution fosters collaboration and mutual understanding.

Stresses the need to understand the differences between problem-solving, compromise, reconcile, and smoothing techniques.

Mentions the significance of addressing inclusivity and ensuring all team members feel valued and heard.

Recommends regular one-on-one meetings with team members as a way to ensure they feel heard and valued.

Warns against assigning work based on cultural background, which can lead to stereotyping and exclusion.

Points out that social events, while good for bonding, do not directly address individual team members' needs for being heard.

Suggests that a high percentage of PMP exam questions involve scenarios where the project manager must decide on the next action.

Highlights the importance of understanding the anatomy of PMP questions, including the scenario and problem presented.

Explains that many exam questions translate technical concepts into scenario-based options, requiring interpretation by the test-taker.

Emphasizes that cramming is not effective for the PMP exam; understanding concepts and scenarios is more important.

Promotes the value of practice and familiarity with PMP question structures to improve exam performance.

Transcripts

hello my friends welcome to a very quick

run through of PMP style questions today

we're starting off with the people

domain and we will progressively get

through the other domains let's start

off with task one manage conflict it

reads an experienced project manager

notices that two team members have

different approaches to completing a

task leading to frequent disagreements

the project manager needs to address

this conflict to ensure

the project progress what should the

project manager do

next I'll let you read

it and decide hit the pause button if

you need more time

though all right so taking a look at

this

question we can immediately see some

options that we wouldn't choose and to

be quite honest you need to get good at

reading through everything

quick

as I read through Mentor the team

members sounds

positive facilitate a discussion between

the team members sounds positive assign

the task to a different team member

doesn't sound good as per best practice

let the project team members resolve the

conflict on their own without

intervening that also sounds

plausible

however it says

the project manager needs to address

this conflict to ensure project progress

if you

don't the project could be hindered so

you must take some

action this question has been very kind

by giving you some insights to what the

answer possibly could be and the answer

needs to revolve around you taking

action this is a very kind question on

the the exam not every question is as

kind so the one that says let the

project team resolve the conflict on

their own does not support what is

needed right assigning the task to a

different team member to show

impartiality is not sensible because

there's still going to be conflict

festering between those two individuals

so let's get rid of that conflict really

needs to be tackled at the root which is

conversation and dialogue so we've got a

and b read a mentor team members by

creating a solution based on the project

manager's own experience ah now you've

read the end it doesn't sound that good

does it so we're going to cancel a the

best answer my friends in this case is

option b you guessed it facilitate a

discussion between team members to find

a mutually agreeable solution this is

really pointing towards the concept

of problem Sol solving okay or at worst

maybe some sort of uh compromise or

reconcile not smoothing though and you

do need to know the differences between

these two okay so let's go ahead and

move to our next question okay so the

answer like I said is B it reads

facilitating a discussion B aligns with

managing Conflict by encouraging

collaboration

and finding a solution that respects

both perspectives imposing a solution

undermines team autonomy reassigning the

task avoids addressing the conflict and

not intervening can allow the conflict

to escalate or remain unresolved okay

now the purpose of these questions my

friends is not for volume I've already

given you over 500 questions here on

YouTube in fact look look in the links

below and you can find over 500

questions so the purpose purp of this is

not to give you more questions but it's

to sensitize you to how the questions

will be structured and the answers that

follow and how you should use the

process of elimination okay so this is a

different set of question videos let's

take one more and then we'll move on for

the day here is Task two leading a team

it reads a project manager is leading

diverse a diverse team with members from

different cultural backgrounds the

project manager wants to ensure all team

members feel equally valued and heard

what should the project manager do I'll

give you time to read

it all right so taking a look at this

question my friends again you can quick

quickly run through at a high level and

see if there's any you can eliminate so

organized social

events doesn't sound bad doesn't sound

negative conduct regular one-on ones

that doesn't sound POS uh negative

either assign work based on cultural

background now that doesn't sound smart

right assign in work based on cultural

background is a sketchy

one it actually sounds a little bit

exclus exclusionary the excl excluding

people and then D encourage team members

to solve work rated issues independently

well you got to remember what the

problem is equally valued and heard so

it's not really to do with solving work

rated issues and it's not about the work

not fitting them it just

says a diverse team is on this project

and the project manager wants to ensure

they feel valued and heard C and D do

not have enough to do with valued and

heard based on what we read so I'm going

to cancel D and

C taking a look at a and b a sounds good

it sounds like a team building exercise

but will that make them feel heard it

might make them feel valued if you spend

a lot of money on the social

event and spend some time bonding and

stuff but will they feel

heard all right in order to feel heard

they must have a platform because you

are the leader you're project manager

right there's no platform in saying hey

go have an offsite go do this or that

and then we have B conduct regular

one-on-one meetings with each team

member well they will definitely feel

heard in B and they should feel valued

because you are spending

time to meet with them so we're going to

cancel a and therefore the best answer

is B I understand that this sounds a

little

bit tricky in that you may want to

organize events for the team to bond but

that's not the problem they need to feel

valued and heard so it can be a little

bit tricky but let's go and read the

answer down below here so B conduct

regular one-on-one meetings with each

team member and that's

that and it

says one-on-one meetings ensure that

each team member has the opportunity to

be heard and their needs address

prompting

inclusivity social events a may help

bonding but don't address individual

needs assigning work based on cultural

background can lead to stereotyping and

encouraging independent problem solving

may not address the need for

inclusivity so there you have it my

friends the first two tasks in the

people domain don't forget to hit like

subscribe and share this is quality over

quantity we're not being speed demons in

this review I am pointing out to you the

anatomy of the questions and before we

close let me finish off by showing you

the anatomy of these questions let's go

back to question one because your exam

will have similar

themes on very well- written PMP exam

questions that are similar to the actual

test what you'll find in a lot of

cases is a scenario a very robust

scenario

explained

like usually mentions who is at play the

project manager then it gives you this

scenario so you understand who you are

in the question or who is in the center

of the question right the project

manager and then the

scenario and then the problem you need

to address this

conflict and after the problem it's

watch this watch this my friends this is

very

important most questions on the exam I

want to say about 90 to

95% will have this kicker what should

the project manager do next I want you

to register this because you will see

what should the project manager do next

over and over and over and over again

you need to be ready to deal with this

what should the project manager do next

now something else I want to point out

in this question we're looking

at is the

options none of these

options invokes a technical Concept in

the answers in the that you don't have

compromise or reconcile force or direct

those are somewhat baked in to the

answer

so when we facilitate a

discussion what we're using here is

really more along the lines of problem

solving or confronting if you will right

you're bringing it out in the open and

confronting the conflict when we talk

about com romise reconcile Force

direct mentoring the team members by

creating a solution is like forcing your

Solution on them so it's like force but

you don't see forcing talked about

anywhere assigning the task to a

different team member is like conceding

your position so it's like a smoothing

if you will or you could even say it's

like a forcing and smoothing together

right and saying let them resolve their

own conflict on their own is kind of

leaving it somewhere in the middle so

you do need to be able to read between

the lines and say what really is this is

this problem solving is this avoidance

right you could even

say let letting the team

members resolve their conflict is you

avoiding the conflict so you need to be

able to see through the smoke and

mirrors of the question if you get what

I mean you will not get a lot of

questions that explicitly State oh we're

doing cost benefit analysis oh you're

doing crashing or you're doing fast no

it will translate those ideas into

options and then you need to know let's

take a look at the second one so this

one is all about inclusivity diversity

and inclusion so on

so uh for this it's also about team

building and you know just understanding

the value of each team member which goes

to show you cramin does no good on this

type of question and you're going to

have a bolt load that I like this so

cramming is not going to do you much

good again taking a look at this

question what we have here is a scenario

again project manager leading a diverse

team

uh it it gives you a scenario so it

tells you who you are in the question so

let's highlight that as kind of green so

that's who you are then the scenario

okay and then the problem or the need

right could be a need could be a problem

project manager wants to ensure team

members equally feel

heard and of course the kicker what

should the project manager do next or

what should the project manager do so

this is the anatomy of all you know

majority of the questions not all

because you have some Dragon drops and

other things but you're going to get so

many what should the project manager do

next questions I need you to be mentally

ready to face them okay to get further

Clarity on how to answer these kinds of

questions look for myund

scenarios for the PMP exam and I hope it

gives you some context and confidence

all right for those of you who may see

this uh in a timely fashion I want you

to be aware that I have a boot camp

where I cover questions like this and I

also cover the

entire syllabus for the PMP exam and if

you happen to watch this before my next

boot camp I want you to go on down to

the website it's HPM

exam.com

on getting to HPM exam.com you can sign

up for a 3our rapid boot camp to help

Propel you to Excellence on this exam

and uh when you get to HPM exam.com

you can read the details 3 hours you get

a

six 100 page book to help you and we

cover this curriculum as you can see

here we have this curriculum going

through all the domains people process

and

business going through all the

tasks

and really going deep to the next level

okay so again if you want to be part of

that or if you happen to be watching

this just before one of our next ones

going on down to the website it's HPM

exam.com

I'll make that bigger so you can see it

it would be a pleasure to see you in

that training program okay we have one

coming up pretty soon but always check

the website to see when the next one is

all right my friends you take care and

all the very best bye for now