Determine critical impediments, obstacles, and blockers for the team

Concepts

Project Managers are tasked with leading teams to successful project completion. However, journeys to success are rarely straight, with various impediments, obstacles, and blockers present that need to be identified, managed, and minimized. Especially for those preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam, understanding these challenges is essential. This post seeks to elucidate these thorny issues and provide insights on handling them.

I. What are Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers?

Impediments, obstacles, and blockers are issues that hinder the progress of a project. An impediment may be any issue that prevents team members from doing their work effectively. A blocker is generally a type of impediment that halts work on a specific task. An obstacle, on the other hand, is a broad category that may include impediments and blockers.

II. Identifying Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers

To efficiently manage these issues, it is necessary to identify and understand them first. Below are common challenges that team may confront:

Technical issues: These could evolve from software/hardware failures, requirement misunderstandings, or poor technical planning.
Poor communication: Unclear instructions, and roles/responsibilities may lead to confusion and delay of progress.
Resource shortages: Shortages of manpower, equipment, or materials often creates obstacles in completing tasks on time.
External factors: These could be any unexpected events, such as sudden changes in project regulations or market instability.

III. Strategies for Managing Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers

To successfully manage these challenges, systematic and orderly strategies are necessary. Below are some strategies:

Active communication: Regular meetings with team members to discuss progress and obstacles can help in timely identification and rectification of issues.
Risk management: A proper risk management plan can anticipate and minimize the impact of unexpected events.
Adequate resource management: Efficient resource allocation based on the needs and priorities of the task can prevent resource shortages.
Ongoing learning and training: Training programs can help team members to enhance their skill sets, promoting higher project success rates.

IV. The Role of the Project Manager

The project manager plays an instrumental role in leading the team to overcome the identified obstacles. They are responsible for monitoring the team’s progression, identifying blockers or obstacles, developing resolution strategies, and ensuring effective communication among the team.

For example, suppose that a project involving the design of a new software program is halted due to a shortage of coding expertise within the team. In this case, the project manager could strive to resolve this blocker by providing necessary training sessions for the team, hiring expert professionals or reallocating tasks within the team.

V. Mapping Out the Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers

Maintaining a visual representation of the problems the team is facing can be incredibly beneficial in understanding the overall situation. A commonly used tool for this purpose is the Issue Log, wherein project managers record and track issues until they are resolved.

Issue Description	Date Identified	Priority	Assigned to	Resolution Date
Shortage of coding expertise	09/02/2022	High	Project manager	16/02/2022

Remember, the first step towards resolving any issue is recognizing it. Thus, being vigilant about identifying and understanding the critical impediments, obstacles, and blockers is key for effective project management. As a PMP® aspirant, developing these skills and practices should be a priority for you, and will invariably distinguish you as a resilient leader in the demanding sphere of project management.

References:

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – 6th Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2017.

Answer the Questions in Comment Section

True or False: Critical impediments, obstacles, and blockers can hamper the productivity of the project team.

– True
– False

Answer: True

Explanation: Critical impediments and obstacles can prevent goals from being met on time and hinder the project’s progress.

Which of the following could be considered as a critical impediment for a team?

– A) Miscommunication
– B) Lack of Resources
– C) Team members are sick
– D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation: All these circumstances can cause delay in work progress and thus are considered as impediments.

True or False: A team member’s lack of training or skillset cannot be considered an impediment.

– True
– False

Answer: False

Explanation: When a team member lacks the necessary training or skills to perform their tasks, it can impede progress and create roadblocks.

Select the one which is NOT an example of a project blocker:

– A) Change in project scope
– B) Clear and effective communication
– C) Unavailability of key resources
– D) Changes in team members

Answer: B) Clear and effective communication

Explanation: Clear and effective communication is essential for the smooth run of a project. It is not a blocker.

True or False: Identifying potential risks or threats can help in mitigating future impediments.

– True
– False

Answer: True

Explanation: Proactive identification of potential risks and preparing contingency plans is an effective strategy for reducing future obstacles and impediments.

Which among these is NOT a role for a Project Manager in overcoming project obstacles?

– A) Blaming team members for obstacles
– B) Facilitating communication
– C) Negotiating for resources
– D) Resolving conflicts

Answer: A) Blaming team members for obstacles

Explanation: Blaming team members is not a constructive way to overcome project challenges. The role of the Project Manager is to facilitate open communication, negotiate for resources, and resolve conflicts.

True or False: Regular project and team meetings are ineffective in proactively identifying and addressing impediments.

– True
– False

Answer: False

Explanation: Regular project and team meetings are beneficial in identifying issues early and working on timely solutions.

Is it essential to update project stakeholders about critical impediments?

– Yes
– No

Answer: Yes

Explanation: Keeping stakeholders in the loop regarding critical impediments helps them understand any potential delays or changes in the project timeline and scope.

Who is responsible for removing impediments in a project handled by a Scrum Team?

– A) Product Owner
– B) Team Members
– C) Scrum Master
– D) Stakeholders

Answer: C) Scrum Master

Explanation: In Scrum, the Scrum Master has the responsibility of removing impediments that the team can’t resolve themselves.

True or False: Regular risk assessments have no relation with identifying potential impediments in a project.

– True
– False

Answer: False

Explanation: Regular risk assessments aid in identifying potential risks, which in essence are potential impediments, thus helping in devising strategies to mitigate them.

The technique used to convert the uncertainty associated with a project into manageable risks is called:

– A) Risk tolerance
– B) Risk analysis
– C) Risk management
– D) Risk identification

Answer: C) Risk management

Explanation: Risk management is the technique which is used to convert uncertainties associated with a project into manageable risks. It helps in identifying, analyzing and prioritizing risks to minimize their impact.

True or False: Personal conflicts among team members can act as impediments in a project.

– True
– False

Answer: True

Explanation: Personal conflicts and disputes within a team can cause disruption, lead to inadequate communication and degrade the team’s performance, thereby acting as impediments.