I - Engage Individuals of Different Generational Cohorts
View the video Bridging the generation gap and read executive summary from the Pew Research Center (2010).
PwCCanada. (2014, May 22). Bridging the generation gap - Managing a multi-generational workforce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VlKEwHT2YQ
Imagine you work for a traditional, hierarchical company as project manager of a team that consists of individuals representing three different generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X'ers, and Millennials. You have noticed that your younger team members are not responding well to your company's workforce engagement strategies or traditional project management methods. For example, your younger team members do not seem to value your company's stock option plan, many do not participate in the company's summer picnic, and they often complain about having to file daily progress and quality metrics reports.
Prepare a letter to your company's HR manager in which you recommend at least three new strategies for engaging your millennial team members that you can implement in your project without compromising scope, budget, or deadlines; and without alienating your Gen X or Baby Boomer team members. Your letter should:
• Explain the characteristics that are unique to the Millennial workforce
• Assess Millennials' presumed motivation for working on teams versus working individually
• Analyze how these characteristics affect prevalent workforce engagement strategies
• Outline specific motivational initiatives that address the needs of the Millennials workforce
• Explain how each initiative might help increase team member engagement for everyone, regardless of age or seniority and provide examples.
II - Design a Fun Teambuilding Event
Imagine you are a newly hired project manager, tasked with assembling a cross-functional team to develop a new and innovative school aid product for hearing impaired children. You have decided to spend an entire day on team building activities to 1) clarify project goals and plans; 2) conduct some fun activities so team members can get to know each other better, and 3) start generating ideas for the new product. You plan to invite several member of your project's steering committee to participate.
Create a PowerPoint presentation to be used during your team building day, in which you:
• Incorporate clear goals for the day's activities
• Share an outline for the day's activities with time allowed for discussions of project goals and steering committee member input in a motivating fashion
• Design three different team building activities that are fun and engaging for all
• Explain how each of these activities meet the goals stated above
• Create slides to support all suggested activities for your teambuilding day, including end-of-day summary of accomplishments.