Organizational theory overview to help PMP candidates prepare for their PMP certification exam.

1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maslow%27s_Hierarchy_of_Needs.svg (license: CC BY-SA 3.0)

2. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Maslow first presented this theory in a 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation. First four levels are “deficiency needs” or “d-needs” With the exception of physiological needs, if D-needs are not met, there are no obvious external signs but the individual feels anxious and tense “Metamotivated” people are driven by B-needs (Being Needs), instead of deficiency needs (D-Needs). Self-actualization: ““What a man can be, he must be.” – Maslow There is significant criticism of Maslow’s model Based too much on individualistic societies like the US Little data to support model

4. "Employees who demonstrate increasing levels of ability should be given increasing levels of responsibility.“

7. Managers need to shift their approach depending on the worker

8. Most organizations have one dominant approach

9. Most people don’t consider this very useful in modern human resources management... too simplistic view of worker motivation