Communication Management in Projects

Key Functions of Communication Management

• Ensure effective communications
• Support successful project outcomes

Steps in Managing Communication

1. Determine Communication Needs

   • Develop an approach and plan for project communications
   • Base on information needs of stakeholders or groups
   • Consider available organizational assets and project needs

2. Manage Communications

   • Ensure timely and appropriate:
     • Collection
     • Creation
     • Distribution
     • Storage
     • Retrieval
     • Management
     • Monitoring
     • Ultimate disposition of project information
   • Note: Project managers spend ~90% of their time on this

3. Monitor and Control Communications

Differences Between Project Methodologies

• Waterfall

  • Communications planning is done early
  • Based on known stakeholders
  • Updated when stakeholders change or communications are ineffective

• Agile

  • Communication and feedback are vital
  • Open lines of communications with customers, team members, and leadership
  • Facilitated with planned meetings (ceremonies) at key intervals