Team Performance and Motivation in Project Management
You are an experienced project manager working on a complicated IT project for a large public
sector organisation, but your project team is failing to achieve important activities on the
project critical path. Targets are being missed and you do not seem to be able to get the team
to work together effectively and the project has been much delayed by lack of cooperation. Part
of the problem seems to be a key member of your team who is not performing. You have
recently hired Jonathan, a 30 year old computer programmer to help get the project back on
track. He is good at solving technical software problems but seems to find working in the team
very difficult and his performance in terms of writing computer code has become progressively
worse over time; and team members have complained about his aggressive and obsessive
behaviour along with his untidiness and poor timekeeping and insistence on eating large quantities of pizza and other food at his desk. He seems to lack motivation and you may have to
consider ending his employment.
Using appropriate theories of team development, explain what may be causing the lack of
performance in your team. In your answer you should suggest creative solutions to the problem
with the team. Also why might Jonathan lack motivation? Discuss with reference to appropriate
theory and case example; suggest ways in which Jonathan may be motivated.
You will need to take the following into account when completing your assignment.
• Establishment of relevant theory;
• Allocation of credit and sources used; (have I included references and citations to the
material I have used?);
• Clarity of argument and relevance to the project management context
• Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar;
• Adherence to nominated word limit.
This coursework should follow a structured approach and should be prepared and presented
professionally. You should undertake a relevant literature review that helps inform your
investigation. Please also ensure that the Harvard Referencing System is adhered to and fully
complied with.
Assessed intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
1. Locate, synthesise and critically evaluate recent/current information from a wide range of
published literature in Project Management
2. Apply knowledge of the theory and practice of project planning and control and the use of
Project Management methods and techniques.
3. Critically evaluate the use of techniques in leading, planning, control and process
management.
Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills
1. Use terminology associated with the subject area accurately and in a way, which
demonstrates sophisticated knowledge and understanding.
Transferable Skills and other Attributes
1. Work independently in analysing and presenting solutions to Project Management
leadership and skills issues.
2. Locate, synthesise and critically evaluate recent/current information from a wide range of
published literature in leadership and team work for effective Project Management
3. Make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations using theories and techniques
appropriate to Project management leadership and Skills.
Assessment Criteria
You should look at the assessment criteria to find out what we are specifically looking at during
the assessment.
Marks for your assessment 2 will be allocated based on the following marking scheme
30% – Use of Theory
30% – Examples Used
10% – Quality of Argument
10% – Reference to course ideas
10% – Citations and References
10% – Discussion and Conclusion
