Ask Right Questions
November 17th, 2006 // 12:42 pm @ Tanmay // One Comment
When working with project teams, it is very important for project managers
to gather information – about project status, about activities, showstoppers, constraints, risks, individual issues and a lot more that goes into project management.
Asking right questions becomes very crucial for a project manager to get the right information. Timing of asking these questions is also equally important. While questions are directed to gather information, it is important that they don’t cut a wrong impression on team members. I realized this when I was in process of asking questions to one of the team members to gather information which client demanded on immediate basis. While questions I asked were right (and helpful), the style of asking questions was slightly aggressive (because I quickly needed the info) - and this lead the team member to believe that I was doubting his work. I had to explicity clarify that the questions were intended to gather information quickly and not to doubt his work or abilities for that matter. I learnt a lesson here – it is important to ask right questions, at the right time and in the right manner to effectively get the other persons views and enable a positive conversation.
According to a post “Asking the right questions to facilitate teamwork” on Stronger Teams Blog:
Questions to ask
- Clarifying questions – those that help ensure a full understanding of topics; essential for all team members to be working with common knowledge for planning problem solving.
- Exploratory questions – emphasize possibilities that have not yet been discussed; enhance teams ability to find creative solutions.
- Why questions – these examine the underlying rationale for actions, processes, or circumstances; useful for problem solving, planning and several other purposes
Are you asking the right questions?
Category : Great Quotes &Managing Projects &Process Improvement
Blaine Collins
5 years ago
That’s a lesson we have all had to learned (or one we will need to learn soon).
Your recent experience reminds me that there is a fine line between simply gathering information, and appearing to be carrying out an inquisition. The right tone can make a big difference.
As you say, timing matters too. If I start drilling someone with questions as soon as they walk in the door, it will not likely matter what tone I use, they will see it as overly aggressive.
Unless there is a fire (literally!), its more effective in the long run to take time to explain what information is needed and why, then get down to the business of asking questions.