PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are effective techniques for motivating a project team according to PMI?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'hygiene factors' (like salary) with true motivators, or they mistakenly equate close monitoring with 'quality control' rather than recognizing it as a demotivating micromanagement technique.
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
✓
Empower team members with autonomy and decision-making authority.
Empowering team members with autonomy and decision-making authority is a core motivation technique in PMI's leadership framework. It aligns with the 'Servant Leadership' approach, where the project manager enables the team by removing impediments and trusting them to own their work, which increases engagement and accountability.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Empower team members with autonomy and decision-making authority.
Why this is correct
Empowering team members by granting them autonomy and decision-making authority significantly boosts intrinsic motivation. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and accountability for their work, leading to increased engagement and commitment to project success. When individuals feel trusted and capable of making impactful choices, their job satisfaction and productivity naturally rise, aligning with McGregor's Theory Y principles.
- ✗
Offer competitive salaries and bonuses.
Why it's wrong here
While competitive salaries and bonuses are essential for attracting and retaining talent, they primarily function as "hygiene factors" according to Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory. These extrinsic rewards prevent dissatisfaction but do not inherently provide long-term motivation or job satisfaction beyond a basic threshold. Once compensation expectations are met, further increases typically do not drive sustained performance improvements or intrinsic engagement.
- ✓
Provide regular recognition and rewards for achievements.
Why this is correct
Providing regular recognition and rewards for achievements is a powerful motivator because it addresses fundamental human needs for esteem and appreciation. This practice validates team members' contributions, reinforces positive behaviors, and publicly acknowledges their value to the project and organization. Such acknowledgment fosters a positive work environment, encourages continued high performance, and strengthens team morale and loyalty.
- ✗
Closely monitor team members' work to ensure compliance.
Why it's wrong here
Closely monitoring team members' work to ensure compliance often leads to micromanagement, which is highly detrimental to motivation and trust. This approach signals a lack of confidence in the team's capabilities and autonomy, stifling initiative and creativity. Instead of fostering accountability, it can create resentment, reduce job satisfaction, and ultimately decrease productivity as team members feel disempowered and undervalued.
- ✓
Provide opportunities for professional growth and learning.
Why this is correct
Offering opportunities for professional growth and learning directly taps into individuals' intrinsic desire for self-improvement and career advancement. This strategy aligns with Maslow's self-actualization needs, providing pathways for skill development, new experiences, and expanded responsibilities. Investing in team members' development not only enhances their capabilities and job satisfaction but also strengthens the project's overall capacity and future organizational resilience.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.