1. Research Insights Into Communication Practices for Project Managers
Herbert Remidez, Ph.D.
June 10, 2004

2. UALR’s MS in MIS Program
You still have time to be admitted for the Summer 4 or Fall semester!
A GMAT prep course will be offered at UALR beginning June 26.
Contact me if you have any questions.

3. Importance of Good Communication
We have all heard the statistics about how important good communication is to a project’s success.
I will discuss strategies PMs can use when developing a project’s communications plan and distributing information.

4. Overview Review PMBOK’s Project Communications Management Guidelines
Describe New Research Related to Communications Management
Review Take Away Points
Questions

5. PMBOK Project Communications Management Communications planning
Information distribution
Performance reporting
Administrative closure

6. Communications Planning
Determining the information and communication needs of the stakeholders:
Who needs what information
When they need it,
How it will be given to them, and
By whom
Output is a communications management plan

7. Communications Management Plan
What methods (written reports, meetings, etc.) will be used to distribute various types of information
A description of the information to be distributed, including format, content, level of detail, and conventions/definitions to be used

8. Selecting the Right Delivery Method for the Relationship Goal
Take Away 1: If your goal is to establish or build relationships,
select a high-bandwidth medium.

9. Selecting the Right Delivery Method for the Task
Take Away 2: Use a low-bandwidth medium for formal
communications (roles, procedures, policies, etc.).

10. Information Distribution
Making needed information available to project stakeholders in a timely manner
Tools and techniques
Communications skills
Information retrieval systems
Information distribution methods

11. Information Distribution
Can increase relationship strength by mixing social messages with task-oriented messages
When tasks require trust or are hard to understand, practice perspective taking

12. Information Distribution – Number of Recipients
Take Away 3: The more people who receive a message, the less it will build the relationship between sender and receiver(s).

13. Information Distribution - Frequency
Note: Mixing social and task-oriented messages can also boost relationship strength.
Take Away 4: Frequently exchanging messages can boost relationship strength and understanding.

14. Email and Relationships
is good for
Brainstorming
Maintaining relationships
is not good for
Asking for favors or trying to influence others (e.g. negotiations)
Trying to develop initial relationships via (e.g. kick off projects)

15. Information Distribution Methods
decreases likelihood of successful negotiations
Lack of social cues
Excess rumination
Argument building
Easier to perceive insults

16. Email and Negotiations
Workarounds
Use graphics to identify key assumptions/agreements
Remind yourself and others of any relationships you have
Practice perspective taking

17. Summary
Take Away 1: If your goal is to establish or build relationships, select a high bandwidth medium.
Take Away 2: Use a low bandwidth for formal communications (roles, procedures, policies, etc.).
Take Away 3: The more people who receive a message, the less it will build the relationship between sender and receiver(s).
Take Away 4: Frequently exchanging messages can boost relationship strength and understanding.

18. Questions?
Thank You!