Question

a) In some projects, the dedicated team working on the project is allowed to get things done without going through the normal procedures within their parent organisation. What are the advantages of this and what are the risks/disadvantages?

b) What does the punctuated equilibrium model suggest about the use of milestones? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Answer a) The team and ultimately the parent organisation benefits a lot by allowing the team working on the project to get things done without going through the normal procedures. The major benefits of this are as follows:

1. The team can work efficiently without the interference of others.

2. The team can get the required information correctly and quickly.

3. The team can focus primarily on the project without concerning the steps and procedures that will affect the project.

4. The team can do actions that are normally not allowed to others which will make them more effective.

5. This also helps the team in terms of preference in work as other employees will do the work of the team first then others.

However, there are some risks and disavantages of this also which are as follows:

1. The team can use the information gathered for wrong purposes.

2. This can lead to differences among the employees and team members.

3. This can cause grievances within the organisation.

Answer b) Punctuated equilibrium model sets the guidelines for group development. It provides the processes to achieve group development and the effect of various factors on the group development.

Punctuated equilibrium model tells that when groups are provided with milestones to be achieved then the group/team and ultimately the whole organisation develops more than without setting milestones. The milestones should be achievable and practicable. However, the milestones can be small but there should be milestones to be achieved as they motivate the employees of the organisation.