Motivation in Project Management from the Project Manager’s Perspective
A project manager has do be able to plan the project, handle the stakeholders, create a risk analysis plan, handle the top management and the team. But a topic that is often overlooked is the team motivating. The difference between a team that is highly motivated to solve a projects goal and a de-motivated team, could make the difference between a successful project, and a project that might never finish or is filled with complications.
There is a growing awareness that people is one of the most important parts in a project. Since the beginning of the 2000 the focus has shifted from technical aspects(planning, budget optimizing etc.) to more people oriented aspects of project management such as motivation for instance. This applies for both practices and academic studies. [1]
This page will go through what motivation is, why motivation is important among the project members, what happens if there is no motivation, and show theories that can help the project manager understand how he can make his project participants motivated. Motivated employees increase productivity and efficiency. In a project a project manager that does an extra effort in motivation would increase these because a motivated team has less sick days, and absenteeism and the team members could da a extra effort to be on time. The quality of the work will also be better.[2]
There are several sources of motivating the project manager can focus on in the team. This article will show how a project manager can lead and motive, go trough some of the motivational triggers, discuss some of the limitation the project manager has to motivate, and the limitations of the sources of motivation.
Contents |
Leading and motivating
Sources of motivation
Feedback
Acknowledgement
Freedom with responsibility
Limitations to project motivation
Maslows Hierarchy of needs
One of the theories not getting around when discussing motivation is Maslows hieararchy of needs. Every member of your team has a need, something he wants. The promise of fulfillment of the needs is what drives us. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory is a five-stage model that show what needs that drives us, in which order to achieve satisfaction starting from basic needs to fulfilling the human potential(self-actualization). The first, the most basic need is the physiological needs. Lunch program at work could fufill this need, or apples in a basket. The second need is the safety needs. Make sure the team members feel safe. This could be fulfill with clear communication so the employee never feel he is unsecure if he is doing his work right, he can depand on the others in team, and so on. The third step is belongingness, and love needs. At this step the group activities is an example of fulfillment of this need. Teambuilding exercises or social events are some of the activities that can fulfill this need. The fourth step is esteem needs. When a group member excel in the project, a job gets done, it is important to acknowledge the work he has done. This could be done by giving the employees a higher position, giving a bonus, but also a small thing as a ‘good job’ can satisfy this need. With the four other needs fulfilled the team member can now reach the highest need, self-actualization and there are feelings of joy and euphoria. This step he has to reach himself.
Application
Create a desire and need to fufill the project
Participation in decision-making can satisfy employees‟ self-actualization needs and, by doing so, increase employees‟ motivation and job performance (Likert, 1961)
When planning the project it is important for the manager to have planning workshops with the team. It is important that he here is the facilitator, and is open to suggestions. This will create ownership to the participants which will give incentive to do their best in the project.
During the project it is also important to communicate further down when stakeholders, timeschedule etc. change. The communication to team has to be precise, and with a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) matrix for instace
RACI matrix
The RACI matrix illustrate every single task’s goal and the required action from each team member. It helps every person in the team to be on the same page, remove any confussion and is therefore a contribution to the motivation. The problems with the RACI model is that it does not work in dysfunctional teams. If the team already has a poor moral, this tool could feel like a whip that bury the moral even more. [3]
Reward when goals are fulfilled
When goals are fulfilled they must be rewarded. According to Maslow’s hiearchy of ne
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Protect the team from external forces
Conclusion
References
- ↑ Eight to Late (2008). Motivation in project management. [online] eight2late.wordpress.com. Available at: https://eight2late.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/motivation-in-project-management/ [Accessed 15 Sep. 2016]. The auther behind this blog is co-founder and principal of Sensanalytics. He has written two books about management practices, and his work on the blog is mainly based on research papers .
- ↑ Callofthewild. (2016). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – How to Motivate Your Staff. [online] callofthewild.co.uk. Available at: http://www.callofthewild.co.uk/library/theory/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-how-to-motivate-your-staff/ [Accessed 16 Sep. 2016]. Call of the Wild is an independently-owned, limited company that teach management techniques to companies. They have won several awards for their work.
- ↑ Simplypsychology. (2016). [online]. simplypsychology.org.Available at: http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow-pyramid.jpg/ [Accessed 15 Sep. 2016].
[1]Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/motivation.html [2] Komal Khalid Bhatti and Tahir Masood Qureshi, (2007), Impact Of Employee Participation On Job Satisfaction, Employee Commitment And Employee Productivity, International Review of Business Research Papers Vol.3 No.2 June 2007, Pp. 54 - 68 [3] https://www.teamgantt.com/blog/3-project-management-tips-on-how-to-motivate-your-team/ accessed 30.11.2014 Figure 2 http://www.cardinalsolutions.com/~/media/Images/cardinal/blog/RACI1.png?la=en
