Project Management Achieving Competitive Advantage by Jeffrey K. Pinto (Fourth Edition)
1. The chapter stressed the idea that project management is a “leader intensive” undertaking. Discuss in what sense this statement is true.
2. How do the duties of project managers reinforce the role of leadership?
3. What are some of key differences between leaders and managers?
4. Discuss the concept of emotional intelligence as it related to the duties of project managers. Why are the five elements of emotional intelligence critical to successful project management?
5. Consider the studies on trait theories in leadership. Of the characteristics that emerge as critical to effective leadership, which seem most critical to project managers? Why?
6. Consider the profile examples on project leaders Sir John Armitt and Dr. Sreedharan from the chapter. If you were to summarize the leadership keys to their success in running projects, what actions or characteristics would you identify as being critical? Why? What are the implications for you when you are given responsibility to run your own projects?
7. Why are project champions said to be better equipped to handle the “nontraditional” aspects lf leadership?
8. Consider the discussion of the “new project leadership” If you were asked to formula a principle that could be applied to project leadership, what would it be? Justify your answer.
Be able to answer the following questions as they may appear on a quiz/exam:
i. Summarize some of the key differences between leaders and managers.
ii. Why is it said that motivation must come from internal of the person, versus simply external? (page 120)
iii. Why is communication so important to project management/leadership?
iv. Page 119 lists figure– be familiar with this diagram.
v. What is emotional intelligence? Why is it important to a project manager?