PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
You are managing a virtual team across four time zones. Team members report feeling disconnected and communication is becoming fragmented. What is the BEST way to improve team cohesion?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates choose Option B (rotating meeting times) thinking it's the most 'fair' approach, but the PMI emphasizes that consistency and personal connection (via videoconferencing) are more effective for cohesion than equitable scheduling alone.
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
✓
Schedule weekly videoconference meetings with a clear agenda and time for informal discussion
It directly addresses the root cause of fragmentation in a virtual team: lack of personal connection. Weekly videoconferences with a clear agenda ensure structured communication, while informal discussion time builds rapport and trust, which are critical for team cohesion across time zones.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Schedule weekly videoconference meetings with a clear agenda and time for informal discussion
Why this is correct
This is the most effective strategy for fostering cohesion and productivity in a virtual team across multiple time zones. Regular synchronous video meetings allow for real-time interaction, enabling team members to pick up on non-verbal cues, build rapport, and address complex issues collaboratively. A clear agenda ensures efficiency, while dedicated time for informal discussion is crucial for strengthening interpersonal bonds and trust, which are foundational for a high-performing distributed team.
- ✗
Rotate meeting times to accommodate each time zone fairly
Why it's wrong here
While seemingly fair, rotating meeting times can disrupt individual work-life balance and create chronic inconvenience for different team members on a rotating basis. This approach often leads to fatigue, reduced engagement, and inconsistent attendance, ultimately hindering the development of a stable team rhythm and strong interpersonal connections. It prioritizes logistical fairness over consistent, high-quality interaction essential for team cohesion.
- ✗
Encourage team members to use email for all communication
Why it's wrong here
Relying solely on email for all communication in a virtual team is highly detrimental to cohesion and efficiency. Email is an asynchronous tool that lacks the immediacy and richness of real-time interaction, making it difficult to convey nuances, resolve complex issues quickly, or build strong interpersonal relationships. This can lead to misunderstandings, delayed decision-making, and a fragmented team environment where members feel isolated.
- ✗
Assign a team member to act as a communication hub
Why it's wrong here
Designating a single communication hub creates an unnecessary bottleneck and single point of failure for information flow within the virtual team. This centralized approach slows down communication, reduces direct peer-to-peer interaction, and can lead to misinterpretations as messages are filtered through an intermediary. It actively discourages the organic collaboration and shared understanding vital for a self-organizing and cohesive distributed team.
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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.