ABSTRACT
Of equal importance to the assembly of a temporary project team is the ability of managers to keep the TPO functioning effectively during the various stages of the project. Relationships evolve, conflict manifests and levels of trust are constantly being tested and redefined. Development of the TPO is challenging because of the large number of disciplines contributing over a long time frame. As the project develops some participants leave the project, their task(s) complete, and others join, and in doing so affect existing patterns of interaction. Some participants will leave temporarily, to return later in the project life cycle as their contribution is once again necessary. Gray and Hughes (2001) have attempted to describe this phenomenon, which they call the wheel of dominance, with actors being active at different times. Although the wheel is a useful metaphor it is potentially misleading because rarely do the participants interact with the regularity of a revolving wheel. Instead it may be useful to see the varying levels of participation (and hence dominance) as planned insertions in accordance with the project plan, and unplanned insertions in response to unexpected events.
