Group Dynamics and Project Management Skills in HR - CIPD 5DVP

This article discusses group dynamics and project management skills in HR, covering Tuckman's model, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills. It also provides examples and suggestions for overcoming conflicts and evidence of project management skills. The article concludes with a brief description of how to transfer the new knowledge and skills gained during this assignment into working practices.

CIPD - 5DVP

Table of Contents
1.1 Group Dynamics..................................................................................................................3
2.1 Project Management Skills..................................................................................................5

GROUP DYNAMICS
Describe the elements of Group Dynamics and why it is important to
understand this from an HR perspective. You should make reference to
a model of group processes explaining how this may be used to identify
and manage group dynamics. (AC1.2) (approx 400 words)
Group dynamics in simple terms can be understood as the processes
(behaviours and psychological processes) that take place between the
members of the group. These dynamics depend on the thoughts and feelings
of an individual member of the group (Kinder, 2018). This also has an impact
on the relationship being shared between the group members. It is essential
that HR professionals understand the elements of group dynamics to
improve and enhance the effectiveness of the organization by understanding
decision-making behaviour, creating effective techniques, and following the
emergence and popularity of new ideas. To manage group dynamics models
like Tuckman, The Punctuated-Equilibrium Model, etc. can be used.
Tuckman’s Model – According to Tuckman's theory, there are five stages of
group
development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.
During these stages group members must address several issues, and the
way in which these issues are resolved determines whether the group will
succeed in accomplishing its tasks. It really helps in understanding how a
task can be tackled from the initial stage until the completion of the project.
As mentioned there are five stages in this model listed as below:

Forming: At this stage team members are assembled, and the task is
allocated to them. Planning, a collection of relevant information is usually
done at this staged.
Storming: This is a very important stage as the actual bond is developed in
this stage. Here ideas are shared to complete the task.
Norming: This is considered to be the most harmonious stage as at this
stage people start to agree with the rules as well as values to undertake the
project.
Performing: This is the last stage at which the main role of the group
members is to perform a task and achieve the desired target (Team Building,
2018).
Adjourning: Not all groups experience this stage of development because it
is characterized by the demobilization of the group (mourning the
adjournment of the group).
The Tuckman’s model is considered by some as a linear process. Joy H. Karriker has found out
that the group is more dynamic and cyclical in nature and the processes discussed above does not
satisfy the needs of group dynamics. According to the punctuated model, it is believed that group
dynamics are managed rapidly and not gradually with time in different phases. But, in my
organization, in order to manage group dynamics, the Tuckman’s model proved to be successful
(Karriker, 2005).
Explain how conflict might arise within a group setting - provide 2
examples, and suggest ways of overcoming these. (AC1.2) (approx 225
words)

Conflict can arise in an organization due to certain disagreement or improper
communication (Root III, 2018). There are many methods through which
conflict can be resolved like PMBOK guide, Thomson-Kilmann’s model etc
(Usmani, 2012).
Thomson – Kilmann has provided a model for conflict resolution
 Accommodating: According to this, a conflict is resolved by
compromising with own concern and fulfilling the demands of the other
member.
 Avoiding: In this, the conflict is not given any importance, and it is
totally avoided.
 Competing: This is the opposite of accommodating as in this method
to resolve own conflict interest is satisfied.
 Collaborating: In this people are made to come together and link
their issues to resolve the conflict
 Compromising: In this method, a common solution is found that can
satisfy both the parties (JD, 2011).
Examples of conflict resolution:
 Disagreement over guidelines - Due to lack of communication
there was certain conflict between the team members as the
guidelines were not provided in writing to the members. To clarify the
instructions, a written plan was provided to every member so that no
scope of confusion and disagreement is left.

 Conflict over the responsibilities to be performed - After the
allocation of tasks to every member it was found that there was a lack
of training among few employees which caused havoc among the team
members. As a result to tackle this situation proper training was
provided to them before starting the project.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Provide evidence of your use of project management skills e.g.
objective-setting, defining deliverables, identifying resources, setting
timelines, project costing, risk management, monitoring and success
evaluation. (AC2.1) (approx 200 words)
Human Resource Manager plays the leading role in establishing an effective
human resource system in the organization. The main skills that were used
are as follows:
 Leadership: Effective Leadership is the most essential skill that is
required to complete the project successfully. As a leader setting the
vision, continuously motivating the team members are some of the
activities that need to be performed.
 Communication: This is one of the essential skills that were used in
the process of project completion. It is important to understand as well
as to be understood. Effective communication helps in building a
relationship and trust between the team members.

 Objective setting: This helps in clarifying what is expected from
whom and hence helps in improving the efficiency of the project.
 Time Management: Setting timelines by dividing the project into
parts also will help in a great way to complete the task on time.
 Risk Management: This is one of the essential skills that should be
possessed by the HR manager as identifying the risk at a very early
stage helps in avoiding risks possibility in the process of project
completion.
 Negotiation Skills: This skill is required to negotiate over the budget,
resources, and timelines so that every each party of the project is
satisfied. This is very important for the success of the project (Aston,
2018).
Provide evidence of your problem solving skills during the course of the
project – how you identified a particular problem, and then identified and
evaluated alternatives. (AC2.2) (approx 125 words)
The IDEAL model of problem-solving is;
 Identify the problem
 Define the problem
 Examine the options
 Action plan
 Look at the consequences
The final stage of the problem-solving is to put the solution into practice and to examine the
results (University of Kent, 2013).

With the help of situational analysis, I have identified weaknesses that might affect the
performance of the business which were lack of effective communication and lack of training
among the employees due to various other issues were taking place (itseducation.asia, 2018). I
defined the problem in a manner that because of lack of effective communication among
employees, so many confusions were creating between them. For this purpose, I utilized
Fishbone Analysis technique, and I identified the causes and possible solutions to the problems
arising in the organization. Also, due to lack of sufficient training required to work in the
organization in various departments, the performance of the employees was deteriorating. Due to
this reason, the productivity, as well as the workplace environment was affected. I realized that
various options could be used to enhance communication among employees such as informal
meetings, discussions and various fun activities in and out the organization on weekends. The
training and development programs have also been planned in by the requirements of different
departments in the organization. So, I relied on the options and started conducting meetings,
sessions, and discussions among the employees as well as organized fun activities for the
employees so that interaction between the employees could be encouraged (SkillsYouNeed,
2018).
Explain how you successfully influenced, persuaded and negotiated with others
in the course of that project (or other related activity), e.g. using your analytical
skills, risk assessment, appraisal of options, etc. (300 words)
During the project, I had to influence, negotiate and persuade people to get the project done
effectively, for which, I utilized analytical skills, risk assessment, and appraisal of options.

Through analytical skills such as effective communication, creativity, critical thinking and
research, I will make every possible effort to influence, persuade and negotiate with people for
the benefit of the project (Doyle, 2018). In the process of utilizing persuading, skills can be used
such as emphasizing on the needs of other parties, arguing the issue logically, and use of positive
language instead of negative language along with body language (SkillsYouNeed.com, 2018).
Through this, I will try to persuade people to perform as I wish by ignoring the interests of others
but without pressurizing others.
As negotiating skills which comprise of coming to a decision upon which, all could agree, and no
one gets negatively affected. To negotiate people in the organization, I will establish mutual trust
between the people by listening to them carefully, clarifying the issues, identifying common
ground between them, making compromises whenever required and then coming to an
agreement.
The assessment of risk provides an idea about what ways to be applied to influence the people so
that they can actively participate in the process of risk elimination for the effective management
of the project (University of Kent, 2018). Thus, for the people to get influenced by the decisions
taken by me, I will have to utilize negotiating and persuading skills developed within me. Such
processes are considered extremely essential in managing the projects. These negotiation and
persuasion skills are considered beneficial for maintaining the project because it helps in budget
allocation, time management and resource management of the project. In addition, the utilization
of these skills ensures best outcomes for all along with a ‘win-win’ situation in order to gain
cooperation of others from the team.

Write in a short paragraph, briefly describe how you will transfer the new
knowledge and skills gained during this assignment into working practices. (200
words)
Being the HR Manager, it is my sole responsibility to manage the HR functions effectively all
over the business. I will apply the the new knowledge gained to fulfil all my duties on a timely
basis. I will be able to improve the HR processes being practiced in the organization. The
knowledge gained will help me in effectively solving issues arising in the organization. The
skills learned during assignment will enable me in selecting team to implement any project
effectively. The application of Tuckmann model will help me in selection of best team for any
project. It will also help me in successful completion of project. The main thing that I will adopt
is training sessions. Training is the best way to move the skills in the culture of the organization
and to the recruits joining the organization. Through training, the performance of the employees
can be improved. This in turn will improve the productivity of the organization and will benefit
the company in the long run.
References
Aston, B. (2018). 7 Essential Project Management Skills for 2018. Retrieved from
Thedigitalprojectmanager.com: https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/project-
management-skills/

Ebrary.net. (2018). GROUP DYNAMICS. Retrieved from ebrary.net:
https://ebrary.net/2815/management/group_dynamics
JD. (2011). 5 Conflict Management Styles at a Glance. Retrieved from Sourcesofinsight.com:
http://sourcesofinsight.com/conflict-management-styles-at-a-glance/
Kinder, J. (2018). What Are Group Dynamics? - Definition & Theory. Retrieved from study.com:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-group-dynamics-definition-theory-quiz.html
Root III, G. N. (2018). Causes of Organizational Conflict. Retrieved from
Smallbusiness.chron.com: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/causes-organizational-
conflict-168.html
Team Building. (2018). Tuckman's Forming - Storming - Norming - Performing. Retrieved from
www.teambuilding.co.uk: https://www.teambuilding.co.uk/theory/Forming-Storming-
Norming-Performing.html
University of Kent. (2013). Problem Solving and Analytical Skills. Retrieved from Kent.ac.uk:
https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/problem-solving-skills.htm
University of Kent. (2018). Persuading, Influencing and Negotiating Skills. Retrieved from
Kent.ac.uk: https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/persuading.htm