PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
A project manager notices that during virtual team meetings, only a few members participate actively while others remain silent. The team is diverse and geographically distributed. What technique should the PM use to encourage participation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often choose Option C (calling on silent members) because it seems like a direct action, but the PMP exam emphasizes collaborative and respectful techniques that build team norms rather than singling out individuals.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a team charter that includes meeting etiquette and expectations for participation
A team charter establishes agreed-upon norms for meeting behavior, including expectations for participation, which proactively addresses the root cause of silence in a diverse, distributed team. This aligns with the PMBOK Guide's emphasis on creating a team charter to define ground rules and foster a collaborative environment, especially when virtual communication challenges exist.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reduce the frequency of meetings to avoid overwhelming the team
Why it's wrong here
Reducing meeting frequency might decrease the overall workload, but it fails to address the underlying reasons for low participation during the meetings that do occur. This approach could lead to communication gaps, missed decisions, or a lack of team cohesion, potentially exacerbating project risks rather than fostering active engagement. The core problem is the quality and nature of participation, not merely the quantity of meeting opportunities.
- ✗
Send meeting recordings to those who don't speak
Why it's wrong here
Sending meeting recordings primarily serves as an informational archive for those who missed content or wish to review discussions passively. This action does not actively encourage or facilitate direct contribution and engagement during live virtual meetings. It might inadvertently signal that live presence and input are not critical, further reducing the incentive for team members to participate actively and share their perspectives in real-time.
- ✗
Call on silent members individually during meetings
Why it's wrong here
Directly calling on silent team members, especially in a virtual setting, can create an uncomfortable or confrontational environment, potentially leading to anxiety or resentment rather than genuine engagement. This tactic can be perceived as singling out individuals, which may further inhibit future participation and undermine psychological safety within the team. Effective facilitation encourages voluntary contribution through inclusive methods, not forced responses.
- ✓
Create a team charter that includes meeting etiquette and expectations for participation
Why this is correct
A team charter is a foundational document that establishes clear ground rules, shared values, and mutual expectations for team members, including specific guidelines for meeting conduct and participation. By collaboratively defining these expectations, the team builds a sense of ownership and psychological safety, encouraging all members to contribute actively and respectfully in virtual settings. This proactive approach addresses the root cause of low participation by setting a common standard for engagement.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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This PMP practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PMP exam.