- Quality Management
- Human Resource Management
- Communications Management
- Risk Management
- Procurement Management
- What Next?
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Communications Management
- Plan Communications—10.2
Cram Saver
If you can correctly answer these questions before going through this section, save time by skimming the Exam Alerts in this section and then completing the Cram Quiz at the end of the section.
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Why are communications among project team member important enough to create a distinct knowledge area to address its concerns?
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Which of the following communication methods would be most appropriate for communicating with very large general audiences?
A. Interactive communication
B. One-way communication
C. Push communication
D. Pull communication
)
Answers
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Answers will vary, but the smooth operation of a project is contingent on the project team members working together to get the work of the project accomplished. The only way work in a team environment can progress is through deliberate communication among the team members. Projects are no different from any team environment. When communication breaks down, so does the progress.
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Answer D is the best answer. Pull communication is a good choice for very large volumes of information or for very large audiences. Answer A is incorrect because interactive communication works best between two parties or a small group. Answer B is incorrect because one-way communication can represent either push or pull communication. Answer C is not the best answer because push communication works well for a group of specific recipients. The recipient group might be large, but it is a specific group and not a general audience.
Projects require the coordinated efforts of multiple team members. The success of the project is at least partially dependent on the quality of communication between team members. The communication plan addresses the necessary elements of team communication and leaves little room for assumptions. This plan is important to set the expectations of how the project team should communicate in an effective and timely manner. It also sets the expectations of the stakeholders and makes their need for information a part of the overall project plan. Most communication issues start with a lack of clear directives as to how and when to communicate. Further, most people are reluctant to initiate unsolicited communication. The communication plan is crucial to good project team interaction. The plan actually tells team members what is expected of them throughout the project. Table 4.9 shows the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs for the plan communications process.
Table 4.9. Plan Communications Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs
|
Inputs |
Tools and Techniques |
Outputs |
|
Stakeholder register |
Communication requirements analysis |
Communications management plan |
|
Stakeholder management strategy |
Communication technology |
Project document updates |
|
Enterprise environmental factors |
Communication models |
|
|
Organizational process assets |
Communication methods |
Cram Quiz
Answer these questions. The answers follow the last question. If you cannot answer these questions correctly, consider reading this section again until you can.
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What type of communication would be best for casual, non-urgent information exchange between team members in geographically distant locations?
A. Telephone
B. Conference call
C. Email
D. Shared memo
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Which type of communication would be the best choice for discussing schedule changes to an entire team that is located in several different physical sites?
A. Conference call
B. Email
C. Website
D. One-on-one telephone calls
Cram Quiz Answers
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Answer C is correct. Email provides a good medium for exchanging messages among team members who are in different time zones. Telephone conversations and conference calls require much more scheduling effort and shared memos require additional effort to exchange.
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Answer A is correct. In this case, a conference call provides the ability for the project manager to inform the team simultaneously and also take feedback from team members. The other options are more time consuming and make feedback more difficult.