Talk Talk

	Project Management Leadership/Soft Skills Advice, Anecdotes and Case Studies

by George Spafford

July 24, 2002

All projects involve people, requirements, change and risk. These are all items we know about and carefully plan for. Surprisingly, one of the most important elements to have in project management is effective communication. But many times, proper attention isn't paid to designing and implementing the forms of communication necessary to be efficient and win. To have effective communication, the project leader--and the whole team--must recognize the communication needs of the customer and the various stakeholders involved to make the project a success.

We have all been in the endless series of meetings and wondered what we did in a past life to deserve being stuck there. Despite the fact that meetings are an attempt at communication, have you ever stopped and looked at just how much thought goes into the communication plan? We sure spend a great deal of time mapping out our requirements, getting sign-offs, tracking time, noting changes and so on. But, all too often, a "cookie cutter" approach is made at trying to apply the same generic communication plan without first assessing the environment of the project to understand what is needed.

Why Communicate?
Whoa, what a question! Let's pause for just a moment and review why a communication plan is important.