1.
0 Introduction
A project is a critical and vital undertaking in a business organization that demands full dedication
and concentration from all stakeholders. The failure or success of a project is determined by the
procedures that a particular organization takes in the current and future business environments.
Management is an important task that any person can be tasked with mostly in the contemporary
technological organization environment where changes are inevitable. The success of any project is
credited to mostly the leaders in control of the project because they have authority to monitor and
control every process of the project and making decisions. Failure of the project in achieving its
objectives and goals becomes blame to the managers and leaders. They are blamed for lack of using
their powers bestowed to them such as position, resource, expert, personal, information, and
political power, leading to project failure (Lunenburg 2012). Every project undertaken must yield
specific objectives that enhance certain business process to more profit, overall success, high
productivity, and performance of a particular business in its endeavours. Leaders tasked with the
leadership role in various projects should apply and take seriously all effective leadership and
communication skills to make sure that the project successful.
effective communication is the linchpin of successful project management.
The core aspects of communication in project management involve the back-
and-forth flow of ideas and information between team members. It is up to
the project leader to facilitate this and ensure that each team member
understands project goals and expectations. Let’s look at practical tools and
techniques for effective communication within project management teams.
Why is effective communication in project management
important?
Project teams often consist of diverse team members. Each member brings a
different skill set and personality to the table. Hence, it is important to
understand these differences and bring about harmony. Globally accepted
approaches such as PRINCE2 practitioner and foundation
Certification allow project team leaders to obtain the necessary skills to
achieve this desirable status quo. Project managers/leaders need to make
communication a priority. You can follow a PRINCE2 practitioner course to
discover vital tools for successful communication.
What are the best modes of effective communication?
In today’s digitally connected world, there are several communication tools
that project teams can use. However, the more important question is
whether you choose the most suitable modes of communication or not. This
is one of those make-or-break situations, where true discernment is integral.
You need to pick communication tools based on the specific characteristics
of your team and the nature of the work involved.
Effective communication in project management – plan for
the project
As any PRINCE2 registered practitioner worth their salt would say, a
good plan lays a solid foundation for robust communication. You could come
up with a plan that maps out each stage of the project to assemble the team
wisely. This roadmap will help you communicate well in future
communication.
Effective communication in project management – establish
a communication method
Once you put a plan in place and assemble your team, you need to initiate a
primary tool of communication. You can use more than one mode of
communication, but it is a good idea to make sure that these tools are not
overwhelming or too time-consuming. The PRINCE2® Training
Certification provides insights into choosing the best modes of
communication to suit your team. For example, emails may not be the best
tool for a specific team, while a group chat would provide better results.
Effective communication in project management – share
project goals
Clear communication of project goals with the team is essential to achieve
the desired objectives. This way, each team member will know their role and
responsibilities. When you share responsibilities, try to provide team
members with the opportunity to voice their views. This will go a long way in
ensuring the high quality of their work.
Effective communication in project management – listen to
the team
Listening is half the battle in effective communication. A great leader is
always a good listener. Make it a point to actively listen to team members.
Ask them to share their thoughts and evolving ideas. You could include a
specific time about once a week to allow team members to share viewpoints
and voice concerns. Respectful listening makes people feel that their ideas
matter and that they are valued for their contribution. When you show this
kind of respect, people tend to put forth their best efforts. Respectful
listening is a great leadership skill.
Effective communication in project management – consistent
updates
As the project continues to progress, ensure that the team remains aware of
its status. Update everyone about policy changes, additional objectives,
fresh methods and any new developments. Each professional should
understand the phases and developments of the project. Consistent updates
foster a culture of inclusivity and accountability – two key aspects for the
successful culmination of any project.
Effective communication in project management – monitor
team performance
When you monitor each team member’s performance, you will become
aware of those who need additional help. Moreover, it will help you
understand what you need to communicate, and what type of
communication works best for the entire team. For instance, if you become
aware that some team members are not working in line with the latest terms
of the project, you might want to change gears.
Project management, especially in virtual settings, calls for making
communication a priority. Professionals must improve their communication
skills to usher the project to a successful conclusion. Good communication
skills may incorporate asking questions when in doubt, sharing ideas, and
being unafraid to voice concerns. This type of culture needs to be nurtured,
and it is up to the project leader to do so. You can find plenty of resources to
create a robust culture of communication by following the PRINCE2
Foundation and Practitioner onlinecourse and taking the PRINCE2
foundation practice exam.
Leadership skills are perhaps the greatest determinant of project success. Project managers must
demonstrate leadership effectiveness throughout each phase of the project life cycle. This course
explains the challenges and issues concerning effective project leadership and how to best meet
these challenges. It evaluates various leadership theories and will help project leaders assess their
own personal styles; describes motivational approaches and barriers to team performance and the
stages of team development. In this course you will learn how to best resolve conflicts and manage
agreement, and how to enhance communications effectiveness. You will develop the necessary skills
to get the maximum performance from every member of the team, know how to apply the methods
of leadership that are most appropriate for achieving project success and discover which forms of
leadership and communication are best suited to the various stakeholders. You will learn techniques
for resolving conflict and managing team issues, and gain a solid understanding in analyzing stages
of team development and maximizing project team effectiveness.
