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ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Leading and managing projects

During a bank's core systems upgrade, the project team has entered a phase of open disagreement. Two senior analysts challenge the approach, factions have formed and progress has slowed, although the members are committed to the project goal. Which action best reflects effective project leadership at this point?

The team is in Tuckman's storming stage, so the leader should facilitate the conflict constructively. This means clarifying roles, agreeing norms and decision-making processes, and encouraging open debate, which helps the team progress towards norming rather than suppressing disagreement or ignoring it.

  1. AFacilitate the conflict constructively, clarifying roles and agreeing working norms and decision processesCorrect
  2. BRemove the two analysts immediately to restore harmony
  3. CIgnore the disagreement because the team will resolve it unaided
  4. DImpose a strict directive style and prohibit further challenge

Explanation

This is the storming stage, where conflict over approach and roles is normal. The leader should coach and facilitate, helping establish norms so the team moves to norming. Suppressing challenge or ignoring it risks unresolved tension, and removing members loses expertise and may restart the cycle.

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