“Words are only painted fire; a look is the fire itself.”

~ Mark Twain

Communications management includes planning and delivering information related to the project to all project stakeholders.

Includes the processes required to ensure timely and appropriate collection, generation, dissemination, storage, and disposition of project information.

Defines the critical links among people, ideas, and information that are necessary for success.

PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS?

A basic need for a “well oiled” project team is effective communications within the team, and between the team and other project stakeholders.

One of the risks of project management is the delusion that all communication links are functioning well just because people are talking to one another.

“One of the most common pitfalls of communication is the assumption that because a message was sent, a message must have been received.”

PLAN OF ACTION

The responsibility for building and maintaining real communication links falls on the project manager.

Recognizing that the communication needs of projects vary widely, the project manager can focus on a number of areas to enhance project communications.

Be an effective communicator.

Most project managers spend approximately 90% of their time engaged in some sort of communication, 50% of which is generally with the team.

To enhance team communication the project manager must:

Recognize the importance of the interpersonal communication network within the project team and then encourage informal communication. Do not inhibit it.

Recognize the importance of relations between people to the success of communications flow and team building. Effective communication requires harmony and trust.

Recognize that communication is a two-way medium. Every team member must be responsible for both sending and receiving communication about the project.

Recognize and practice effective communication as denoted by:• Brevity• Clarity• Simplicity• Humanity

Be a communications expediter.

Foster effective communications across geographic, organizational, and cultural boundaries.

Use Technology Effectively

HAVE A “TEAMSITE”

Conduct effective meetings.

By Michael Kaplan. Images by Simone Bramante.