Communication (in project management)
Communication is an essential process in the world of project management (and for that matter the world in which we all live on a day to day basis). It is difficult to master, but essential to make a good effort in achieving. Communication is essentially the effective and complete exchange of information from one person or persons on a project team to other person or persons. Communication on an effective team starts from day one, from the moment a project is assigned, and continues on a daily basis, if not hourly basis, throughout the life cycle of a project. Effective communication means that each and every project team member should be fully apprised of the project status (at least on a macro level) at all times. Some detailed information may not be shared with all team members if they are very individual specific, but the big ticket items should always be shared among the entire team. Communication can also take the form of regular updates to the assigning party as to status of the project and/or specific components of it.
This term is defined in the 3rd edition of the PMBOK but not in the 4th.
Related Posts
- Communication Management Plan
The communication management plan is the written document that outlines, highlights, and details the communications needs and expectations for the entire project. This can include specific communications technologies that are required, such as need for dedicated cell phones so that the project team members can keep in touch, as well as specific update formats, such [...]
- Communication: face-to-face vs. email
Through all phases of project management there must be effective communication taking place. The method of communicating is a question that deserves some attention. With the development of technology more and more project managers are moving toward a reliance on electronic communications which has several benefits. Email and other electronic communications allow project managers to [...]
- Project Communications Management
Project Communications Management plays a key role in keeping all members of the project management team on the same page. Without communication among all team members and project stakeholders there can be a breakdown in processes which could have a negative impact on the final product. The project manager must know the communication processes involved [...]
- Performance Reporting
Effectively managing a project is a many layered process and effort, and there are a number of components that need to be effectively meted out by the project management team leader as well as by individual members of the project management team, or by groups of project management team members, at the assignment of the [...]
- Develop Project Team
The phrase develop project team refers to the early stage planning process in which the fundamental core of the project, that being the actual project participants that are managing the team. These individuals make up the project team, and the maximization of their performance is essential to the proper functioning of the project process and [...]