APPENDIX B
Project Leadership Assessment: Individual
This questionnaire contains statements about the individual characteristics of a project leader. Rate each item on a five-point scale indicating whether you agree or disagree with the statement. There are no right or wrong answers. Mark one answer only for each question:
1 I am able to develop and enthusiastically communicate a vision for the project to the team.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
2 Conflict within a project team can be a good thing.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
3 Risk should be avoided at all costs.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
4 All corporate policies and procedures should be followed.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
5 Conflict is a negative influence on the success of a project.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
6 Team members are encouraged to take initiative in problem solving.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
7 The primary focus of the project is on results.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
8 I have the ability to look forward, see the big picture, and effectively communicate that to stakeholders and team members.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
9 Project success is more important than resolving individual issues.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
10 I have the ability to build multi-functional teams.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
11 Rewarding and recognizing team members for good performance increases motivation.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
12 I see uncertainty and problems as hindrances to project success.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
13 I can clearly visualize the project process.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
14 The project manager’s leadership helps achieve project results.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
15 I see myself as a facilitator or “broker” for change.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
16 I have the ability to plan and elicit commitments.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
17 Risk is monitored on a continuous basis.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
18 Politics and power are managed as part of the project.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
19 Customer expectations are clearly defined.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
20 I view problems, issues, and uncertainty as challenges that can be overcome.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
21 Progress assessment is done on a routine basis.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
22 The project is clearly outlined with a work breakdown structure, definite start and ending dates, and a financial budget.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
23 The project manager is responsible for meeting the schedule deadlines.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
24 I am able to recognize the interdependence among stakeholders.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
25 Stakeholder expectations have been clearly defined at the outset of the project.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
26 Project failures, problems, and mistakes are openly discussed with senior management.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
27 My individual performance is evaluated solely based on meeting the project goals.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
28 I actively listen to different points of view.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
29 I have the ability to collect and filter relevant data needed for decision-making.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
30 Short and informal lines of communication are used.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
31 Organizational policies and practices enable the project to deliver according to plan.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
32 The work breakdown structure is used to determine the selection of the team members based on skills and knowledge required.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
33 I am able to adapt to different circumstances and a changing environment.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
34 Expectations are set and concerns minimized by enthusiastically distributing information to all stakeholders.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
35 I keep my commitments and promises.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
36 I have a good working relationship with the customer and other stakeholders.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
37 Using a project methodology, tools, and techniques is important for project success.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
38 Problems and uncertainty are dealt with through open communication.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
39 I am able to secure the resources needed to successfully complete the project.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
40 I have control of the resources necessary to successfully complete the project.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
41 I have daily communication with the project team members.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
42 The project team members can count on me to assist them to be successful.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
43 I like to manage the tasks one at a time to ensure we stay on track.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
44 Project meetings always have an agenda, have minutes documented, and identify actions, responsibilities, and timeframes.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
45 I conduct business in an honest and ethical manner.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
46 I have a good professional reputation and a track record of project success.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
47 My personal values include the appreciation of all peoples and groups.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
48 I have a good relationship with senior management, stakeholders, and members of industry, which creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
49 I have the ability to deal effectively with managers and support personnel across functional lines, often with little or no formal authority.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
50 I have the ability to integrate individual demands, requirements, and limitations into decisions that benefit the overall project.
strongly disagree
disagree
neither disagree or agree
agree
strongly agree
Scoring
The scoring for this questionnaire is divided into six groups: Team-building and Interpersonal; Planning and Risk; Communications; Decisionmaking, Problem-solving, and Performance; Trust and Interdependence; and Cultural and Environmental. The scores for these groupings will provide some initial insight into the individual aspects of leadership and are to be used as a guide to further analysis and evaluation.
Team-building and Interpersonal
This grouping of questions relates to the aspects of leadership related to team-building and the interpersonal aspects of teams and projects.
Score questions 2, 10, 11, 16, 45, and 47 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Score question 5 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Add the individual scores for these questions and divide the total score for this group by 7.
Planning and Risk
This grouping of questions relates to planning and risk and the organization’s and team’s willingness to address project-related risk.
Score questions 13, 17, 22, 32, and 39 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Score question 3 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Add the individual scores for these questions and divide the total score for this group by 6.
Communications
This grouping of questions relates to communications within organizations, with stakeholders, and between senior management and project teams.
Score questions 1, 8, 19, 28, 34, 41, and 44 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Score question 30 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Add the individual scores for these questions and divide the total score for this group by 8.
Decision-making, Problem-solving, and Performance
This grouping of questions relates to decision-making, problem-solving and project performance.
Score questions 6, 7, 14, 20, 21, 23, 29, 46, 49, and 50 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Score questions 9, 12, 26, 27, and 43 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Add the individual scores for these questions and divide the total score for this group by 15.
Trust and Interdependence
This grouping of questions relates to trust and interdependence within project teams, within organizations, and between project teams and stakeholders.
Score questions 24, 25, 36, 42, and 48 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Score question 38 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Add the individual scores for these questions and divide the total score for this group by 6.
Cultural and Environmental
This grouping of questions relates to the cultural and environmental aspects of leadership.
Score questions 4, 15, 31, 33, 35, and 37 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Score questions 18 and 40 on the scale below:
1 = strongly disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neither disagree or agree 4 = agree 5 = strongly agree
Add the individual scores for these questions and divide the total score for this group by 8.
Interpretation
The following are average scores for the above groupings:
0.0–3.0 | The individual leadership characteristics and attributes identified do not indicate effective leadership is being demonstrated and that leadership development is required. |
3.1–3.9 |
The individual leadership characteristics and attributes identified have some aspects associated with effective leadership, but there is room for growth and improvement. |
4.0–5.0 |
Effective individual leadership characteristics and attributes are being demonstrated. |
© 2002, Warren A. Opfer. Used with permission.