Within Project Human Resource Management, which tool or technique is commonly used in the Develop Project Team process to improve team performance?

Introduction / Context:
The Develop Project Team process focuses on improving the competencies, interaction, and overall environment of the project team so that project performance increases. PMI based exams often test your ability to identify which tools and techniques belong to each process. Here, the emphasis is on the methods used specifically to develop and strengthen the project team.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The process is Develop Project Team within Human Resource Management.
• The question asks for a commonly used tool or technique for that process.
• Answer choices list methods from several different knowledge areas, including procurement, schedule, and cost management.
• We assume PMI aligned terminology.

Concept / Approach:
Develop Project Team uses tools that enhance team skills and team cohesion. Typical tools and techniques include training, team building activities, ground rules, colocation, recognition and rewards, and interpersonal skills. These contrast with analytical tools used in other areas such as make or buy analysis in procurement, critical path method in time management, earned value analysis in cost control, and contract negotiation in procurement.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the purpose of Develop Project Team, which is to increase team performance through development activities. Step 2: List typical tools and techniques used in this process, such as training and team building activities. Step 3: Compare each answer choice with that list to see which ones clearly focus on people development rather than analysis of schedule, cost, or contracts. Step 4: Notice that option a refers directly to team building activities and exercises that build trust and collaboration, which aligns perfectly with the Develop Project Team process. Step 5: Confirm that the remaining options all describe analytical or negotiation techniques from other knowledge areas, so they cannot be the best match.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine you are a project manager noticing low morale and poor communication among team members. To address this, you might arrange workshops, off site meetings, or structured games that encourage people to work together and communicate better. These are examples of team building. You would not normally use critical path calculations or make or buy analysis as your primary method for developing team cohesion, which confirms that team building belongs to Develop Project Team.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Make or buy analysis is a procurement planning tool that helps decide whether to produce work in house or purchase from outside. Critical path method is a scheduling technique that identifies key activities affecting project duration. Earned value analysis is a cost and schedule performance measurement method, not a team development tool. Formal contract negotiation is associated with procurement and legal agreements, not with improving team interaction.

Common Pitfalls:
Test takers sometimes confuse Develop Project Team with Manage Project Team. Develop Project Team is about building skills and relationships, often through team building and training, while Manage Project Team is more about tracking performance, resolving conflicts, and handling changes. Keeping this distinction clear helps you match the right tools with the right process.

Final Answer:
A commonly used Develop Project Team tool is team building activities and exercises to improve trust and collaboration.