A basic prerequisite for a smoothly functioning project team is effective communications within the team, and between the team and other project stakeholders.

1. “Words are only painted
fire; a look is the fire itself.”
~ Mark Twain

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

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

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

5. PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS?

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

7. 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.

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

9. PLAN OF ACTION

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

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

12. Be an effective communicator.

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

14. To enhance team communication
the project manager must:

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

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

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

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

19. Be a communications expediter.

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

21. Use Technology Effectively

22. HAVE A “TEAMSITE”

23. Conduct effective meetings.

24. By Michael Kaplan.
Images by Simone Bramante.