PMP People — Leading Projects Practice Question
Your agile team is distributed across four countries. During the daily stand-up, some team members are not speaking, and others dominate the conversation. The project manager wants to improve collaboration. What is the BEST approach?
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
✓
Implement a round-robin format where each team member takes turns speaking
In a distributed agile team with unbalanced participation, a round-robin format ensures each team member has a dedicated turn to speak, promoting equal contribution and collaboration. This structured approach addresses the root cause of silence and domination without singling out individuals. Option A (written reports) does not foster real-time interaction. Option B (cameras on) may not solve the participation imbalance. Option C (asking dominating members to speak less) can create tension and is less effective than a systemic solution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Send a written report after each stand-up
Why it's wrong here
Sending a written report after each stand-up is a retrospective communication method that summarizes what occurred, rather than proactively fostering real-time engagement. This approach fails to address the core problem of unequal participation *during* the meeting itself, as it merely documents outcomes instead of creating an inclusive environment for all voices to be heard in the moment. It shifts focus away from immediate interaction and collaborative problem-solving.
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Require everyone to keep their cameras on during meetings
Why it's wrong here
While requiring cameras on can enhance non-verbal communication and a sense of presence in distributed teams, it does not inherently guarantee equitable verbal participation. Some team members might still remain silent or be overshadowed, even with their cameras on, due to cultural norms, personality traits, or a lack of structured speaking opportunities. This is a superficial solution that fails to tackle the underlying dynamics of communication flow and ensure everyone has a chance to contribute.
- ✗
Ask the dominating members to speak less
Why it's wrong here
Directly asking specific individuals to speak less can be perceived as confrontational or punitive, potentially leading to resentment, reduced morale, and a chilling effect on their future contributions. This approach is reactive and focuses on suppressing certain behaviors rather than proactively designing a positive, inclusive communication structure that naturally encourages balanced input from all team members without singling anyone out. It lacks a systemic solution for fostering broad participation.
- ✓
Implement a round-robin format where each team member takes turns speaking
Why this is correct
Implementing a round-robin format provides a structured and equitable mechanism for every team member to contribute their updates and insights during the stand-up. By explicitly giving each person a dedicated turn, it prevents a few individuals from dominating the conversation and ensures that quieter members have a guaranteed opportunity to speak without having to interrupt or compete for airtime. This method fosters inclusivity and predictable participation, which is crucial for effective distributed team communication.
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