Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Introduction to Project Resources Management

Managing and leading people is one of the core responsibilities of a project manager as well as a scrum master. To assist project managers and scrum masters with this responsibility we have the principles of project resource management. Project resource management as defined by the textbook includes the processes required to make the most effective use of the human and physical resources involved with a project. There are six main processes of project resource management: planning resource management, estimating activity resources, acquiring resources, developing the project team, managing the project team, and controlling resources. To assist the project manager and scrum master in following these principles we have several theories about managing and leading people, resource loading, and resource leveling.

Motivational Theories

Through extensive research by Industrial-organizational psychologists and management theorists there have been several theories that have been developed that give a bigger picture on the people’s motivation, effectiveness, emotional intelligence and leadership. As a project manager bringing out the most productivity and efficiency in a team to successfully deliver a product is crucial. To understand our team better, understanding their motivation allows you to see from their perspective. There are two main categories of motivation:

• Intrinsic motivation causes people to participate in an activity for their own enjoyment.

• Extrinsic motivation causes people to do something for a reward or to avoid a penalty.

Introduction to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory developed by Abraham Maslow, a psychologist in the 1950s. This motivational theory states that people’s behaviors are guided or motivated by a sequence of needs. On the top of the page there is an image representing the basic pyramid structure of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

At the foot of the pyramid are physiological needs. Once physiological needs are satisfied, security needs direct behavior. Once security needs are satisfied, social needs come to the front and so on up the pyramid. The course of action of these needs and their relative sizes inside the pyramid are critical. According to Maslow each level of the movement may well be a prerequisite for the levels over. An individual cannot consider self-actualization without first tending to fundamental needs of security and security.

The bottom four needs in Maslow’s hierarchy are deficiency needs (physiological, safety, social, and esteem). The highest level need, self-actualization, is considered a growth need. Only after the completion of the lower level needs can people act upon growth needs. Individuals that have met the self-actualized needs are problem-oriented, appreciate life, are concerned about individual development, and are able to have peak encounters.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Scrum

As a project manager understanding each team member’s motivation, with focus on social, esteem, and self-actualization or growth needs is very crucial. Team members that are new to a company and/or city might be motivated by social needs. To address these needs, setting up events, group gatherings could be fulfilling. While on the other hand other project members may find these events to be an invasion of personal time. Being able to understand these motivations and needs promotes a welcoming and productive team environment.

Successful Scrum teams require both core and non-core team members who have reached a level of esteem or self-actualization. The concept of self-organizing teams, which is an important principle of Scrum, requires team members to participate efficiently and fully contribute to the achievement of project goals. As a manager, the Scrum Master needs to understand where each person on the team stands in the pyramid. This understanding helps determine the best approach to motivating each individual. In addition, everyone fluctuates throughout life because of their motivation and efforts to climb the hierarchy, or sometimes because of factors beyond their control that can push them down. The goal of the Scrum Master is to work with individuals on the team to build skills and knowledge so that they can move up the hierarchy of needs. This support creates a team of motivated and powerful people across the project and the organization. If your results as a member of the Scrum team aren't as optimal as you'd like, take a look at Maslow's hierarchy of desires and climb this pyramid.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Agile

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, if the needs are met in the right manner, people respond in a positive and grateful manner. On the other hand, if needs are not met, people perceive the situation as a threat and are affected negatively. With agile transformation, it is important that managers are aware of these needs and be able to adequately assess and control the impact of transformation on all of these needs. When implemented in a correct manner,

• you feel a sense of belonging and connection.

• Fairness is improved if rewards are set on a team rather than on an individual level.

• need for proficiency

• Better team autonomy

However, if not properly managed, agile transformations can adversely affect two of the basic human needs identified: security and certainty as well as appreciation and status. Project managers should provide guidance and set clear rules within which the teams can function.

Adoption of agile often preserves the old hierarchy. As a result, communication can continue along these old structures and encourage people to retain their old features and titles. This does not allow growth and change and places heavy restrictions on individuals. In conclusion, agile transformations meet a wide range of basic human needs, including autonomy, attribution, relationships, and self-actualization. However, if this conversion is not properly managed, it can pose a threat to some of the other equally important human needs, such as security and certainty as well as appreciation and status. For successful agile transformation, leaders need to be aware of human needs and carefully manage their potential impacts.

Conclusion

Maslow's hierarchy conveys a message of hope and growth. Individuals can work to control their destiny, and of course, strive to meet higher needs. Successful project managers know that they need to focus on achieving project goals, but understanding the personal goals of

team members, providing appropriate motivation, and maximizing team performance is equally important.

Sources:

Image: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4136760

https://dare2change.eu/2019/04/28/agile-transformations-be-aware-of-the-human-needs/

http://blog.scrumstudy.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-theory-and-its-relation-with-scrum/

Textbook: Chapter 9: Project Resources Management