International Project Management Association (IPMA) Practice Exam

When the project outcomes are poorly defined, the project team tends to:

1. Grow larger

2. Get smaller

3. Lose focus

4. Gain cohesiveness

The correct answer is: Lose focus

When project outcomes are poorly defined, the project team tends to lose focus. This occurs because team members may not have a clear understanding of the project's objectives and goals. Without a well-defined direction, team members can struggle to prioritize tasks and may engage in activities that are not aligned with the overall vision of the project. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion, duplication of efforts, and misalignment among team members, ultimately hindering their ability to work effectively towards the project’s success. In contrast, when the project goals are ambiguous, there is little incentive for team cohesion or size adjustments; a larger team can sometimes exacerbate the problem by introducing more diverse opinions and potential conflicts, while a smaller team may not have the necessary resources to address undefined tasks. Therefore, losing focus becomes a common issue when project outcomes are not well-articulated.