PROJECT LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT
by Cathy Proviano and the HRDQ Development Team
Project leadership isn't just about logistics. It’s also about the ability of the project leader to motivate the project team, build relationships, and sustain the performance of the team throughout the life of the project.
The Project Leadership Assessment is an innovative learning instrument that focuses on the necessary “people skills” by evaluating behaviour in five vital skill areas. This learning tool is perfect for anyone who has project management responsibilities, regardless of their title or reporting relationship to the project team.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify project leadership strengths and areas for improvement
- Understand five interpersonal skills critical to effective project leadership
- Learn how to enable team members to complete their project work successfully
- Apply leadership skills at each project phase
- Develop action steps for leading projects
Theory
Project management is now becoming a mainstay of organizational life. And, just as it has evolved, so has the role of the project leader. The literature and research on project management identifies numerous skills that a project manager or leader should possess – both technical skills (such as planning, organizing, scheduling, etc.), and “people skills.” The focus of the PLA is on the five important interpersonal skills for project leadership. These five skills are:
- Encouraging Open Communication
- Inspiring a Positive Outlook
- Influencing Effectively
- Managing Conflict
- Developing the Team
The successful project leader uses both technical and interpersonal skills to guide the efforts of the project team. Both sets of skills are needed to work through the Project Life Cycle, which consists of planning, managing the process, and wrap-up.
More detailed information about the PLA model and theory is included in the Facilitator Guide.
How It Works
Using a current project as a mental reference, participants respond candidly to 25 statements. The PLA also includes a Feedback component. The Feedback Form provides participants with another perspective on their project leadership skills. Used in tandem, this combination creates the most accurate picture of a project leader’s effectiveness. Finally, a scenario activity and action planning enables project leaders to identify actions for building on their strengths and improving less-developed skills.
What to Order/Product Contents
Order one Facilitator Guide per trainer and one Participant Guide per participant. To collect feedback for each project leader, purchase one Feedback Form per project team member.
Facilitator Guide includes:
- Administrative guidelines
- Theoretical background
- Experiential Learning Methodology
- 2-hour workshop design with preparation checklist and step-by-step instructions
- Alternative training designs
- Blank training outline
- Optional activities
- Sample copy of the Participant Guide
- Sample copy of the Feedback Form
- CD-ROM containing Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation and reproducible masters including a Certificate of Achievement, Training Evaluation, and overhead transparency masters
- Convenient binder format
Participant Guide includes:
- 25-item assessment
- Pressure-sensitive scoring form
- Definition of project leadership
- Five vital project leadership skills
- Quick reference guide
- Mini case study
- Action planning