PMP · Question #860
A project manager for an agile project wants to have a highly engaged team. How should the project manager achieve this objective?
The correct answer is D. Promote an environment where everybody knows what their contribution means to the project as. To foster a highly engaged agile team, the project manager should cultivate an environment where team members understand the significance of their individual contributions to the overall project.
Question
Options
- AEncourage continuous rotation of roles among team members to keep people motivated
- BBe clear with directions and assignments so people stay focused and engaged with their work.
- CDesign a reward system to get people motivated by recognizing significant individual contributions
- DPromote an environment where everybody knows what their contribution means to the project as
How the community answered
(31 responses)- A3% (1)
- B3% (1)
- C10% (3)
- D84% (26)
Why each option
To foster a highly engaged agile team, the project manager should cultivate an environment where team members understand the significance of their individual contributions to the overall project.
Continuous role rotation can be beneficial for skill development but might also hinder expertise and team stability, potentially reducing engagement for those who prefer specializing or if not managed carefully.
While clear directions are important for efficient execution, they don't inherently foster *high engagement*; understanding the *impact* and *value* of that work is a more significant motivator.
A reward system can provide extrinsic motivation, but intrinsic motivation derived from purpose and meaning, as described in option D, generally leads to more sustained and higher levels of engagement in agile teams.
Team engagement thrives when individuals feel their work is meaningful and contributes to a larger purpose. By promoting an environment where every team member understands how their specific contributions connect to the project's overall goals and success, the project manager instills a sense of purpose and ownership, which significantly increases intrinsic motivation and sustained engagement within the agile team.
Concept tested: Team engagement and intrinsic motivation in agile
Topics
Community Discussion
7
Mei-Ling H.Jul 5, 2026D is correct. The key word in the stem is "agile" which means we want self-organizing teams who understand the project vision, not a manager handing out assignments like in B. Option D is the agile answer because when everybody knows how their work connects to the bigger picture, that is what drives true engagement.
Brenda K.Jul 1, 2026D is correct but that answer cuts off mid-sentence on the real exam, it should say something like "to the project as a whole." B is the trap here because clear assignments sound like engagement, but in agile that is just command and control disguised as focus. Spend no more than 20 seconds on this one, flag and move on if you waffle.
Olusegun A.Jul 5, 2026D. Agile engagement comes from purpose, not role rotation or individual rewards. Why does individual recognition actually hurt team cohesion in adaptive work?
Hiroshi T.Jul 5, 2026D is correct. Agile teams engage when they understand how their work delivers value, per the PMBOK Guide.
Olusegun A.Jul 6, 2026Agreed on D, but the deeper point is that PMBOK frames this as servant leadership removing impediments so the team can focus on delivering that value, not just understanding it in the abstract.
Orla P.Jul 5, 2026D is correct. Does anyone know if PMI still ties engagement to Tuckman stages?
Brenda K.Jul 6, 2026D is right and yes, PMI still maps engagement to Tuckman stages, but dont overthink it on exam day, this is a 30-second quick win so nail it and move on.