According to the PMBOK Guide, project team management involves the processes of leading, motivating, developing, and managing the project team. One of the key aspects of project team management is team integration, which is the process of ensuring that the team members work together effectively and harmoniously. Team integration is especially important when new team members join the team, as they may face challenges such as unfamiliarity with the project, lack of trust, role ambiguity, or cultural differences. Therefore, the project manager should approach the new team member to identify any issues and then plan a resolution accordingly. By doing so, the project manager can:
Establish rapport and trust with the new team member
Understand the new team member’s expectations, needs, and concerns
Provide feedback, guidance, and support to the new team member
Clarify the new team member’s roles and responsibilities
Facilitate the new team member’s orientation and training
Encourage the new team member’s participation and contribution
Integrate the new team member with the rest of the team
Monitor and evaluate the new team member’s performance and satisfaction
By approaching the new team member to identify any issues and then plan a resolution accordingly, the project manager can help the new team member integrate effectively and improve the team’s performance and cohesion.
The other options are not the best choices, because:
Giving the new team member time to contribute until they ask for help and support would be passive and ineffective, as the new team member may feel isolated, overwhelmed, or frustrated, and may not seek help or support when needed.
Assigning the new team member tasks so that the team member knows on what to focus would be directive and restrictive, as the new team member may not have the skills, knowledge, or confidence to perform the tasks, and may not have the opportunity to learn, grow, or collaborate with the team.
Reviewing the project with the team member to ensure the project scope is understood would be informative and helpful, but not sufficient, as the new team member may have other issues besides the project scope, such as team dynamics, communication, or culture. References:
Project Team Management | PMI
Project Team Integration - Project Management Knowledge
3 Best Practices for New Team Integration - BRODYpro
Best practices for managing and developing virtual project teams
