Effective Communications for Project

Effective communication on projects is a challenging, ongoing process for project managers and stakeholders at all levels within an organization. Project managers experience the greatest challenge due to the nature of their position. They set up and regulate communications that support a project overall.Effective Communications for Project Management examines elements of effective communications and describes the role that a Project Management Information System (PMIS) has in helping project managers become better communicators. Based on the author's practical experience and insight as a project and program manager, the book describes the role of personaltiy and its effect on the communications process. It also details the seven elements of effective communications:þ Applying active and effective listeningþ Preparing the communications and establishing an issues management processþ Drafting and publishing documentationþ Conducting meetingsþ Giving effective presentationsþ Developing and deploying a project websiteþ Building a project war roomContaining examples and checklists that are adaptable to almost any project environment, this book is an invaluable resource that not only demonstrates how to attain effective communications, but also how communications can effect a project's bottom line.

Preface	p. xi
Figures	p. xiii
About the Author	p. xv
The Elements of Project Communications Management	p. 1
Five Basic Communications Truths Facing Project Managers	p. 3
Understanding the Communications Process	p. 5
The Communications Process	p. 7
Sender and Receiver	p. 8
Message	p. 10
Medium	p. 11
Feedback	p. 13
Variables	p. 15
Setting	p. 17
At the Center	p. 21
A Difficult Process	p. 22
References	p. 22
Establishing the Project Management Information System	p. 25
Definition and Components	p. 25
Key Characteristics	p. 27
Roles	p. 28
Developing an Automated PMIS	p. 28
Data Versus Information	p. 30
Types of Repositories	p. 34
Keys to Making a PMIS Meaningful	p. 35
Fine Distinction	p. 40
Never-Ending Construction	p. 40
Personality Style and Communications	p. 45
Caveats	p. 45
The Myers-Briggs Temperament	p. 46
The Birkman Model	p. 49
Color Code	p. 50
Multiple Intelligences	p. 51
Enneagram	p. 53
Herrmann Brain Dominance	p. 56
Organizational Engineering	p. 57
Many Models	p. 59
Applying Active and Effective Listening	p. 63
Project Management Information System (PMIS) Contributions	p. 63
Active and Effective Listening	p. 63
Two Important Reasons	p. 64
Why Few People Listen Effectively	p. 64
Four Steps for Effective and Active Listening	p. 65
Hear	p. 65
Clarify	p. 66
Interpret	p. 67
Respond	p. 67
The Most Important Skill	p. 68
Preparing the Communications Management Plan and Establishing an Issues Management Process	p. 71
Contributions of the Project Management Information System (PMIS)	p. 71
Communications Management Plan	p. 72
Characteristics	p. 72
Challenges	p. 73
Making the CMP a Reality	p. 75
CMP Implementation Suggestions	p. 78
Issues Management Process	p. 79
Issues Management Challenges	p. 80
Significant Contributor	p. 80
Drafting and Publishing Documentation	p. 83
Contributions of the Project Management Information System (PMIS)	p. 83
Why Writing Matters	p. 83
Too Little Importance	p. 84
Project Manager as Writer	p. 85
Documentation Phases	p. 86
Draft	p. 86
Defining Readers	p. 88
Determining Goals	p. 88
Conducting Research	p. 88
Preparing an Outline	p. 90
Creating the Document	p. 90
Conducting the Review	p. 95
Revising the Manuscript	p. 96
Receiving Approval or Disapproval	p. 96
Publishing or Distributing the Document	p. 96
Maintaining and Updating Documents	p. 97
Different Types of Supporting Material	p. 97
Common Types of Documentation	p. 98
Tire Project Manual	p. 103
The Right Amount	p. 104
Conducting Meetings	p. 109
PMIS Contributions	p. 109
Reasons for Meetings	p. 109
Reasons for Meeting Failure	p. 110
Indicators of Poor Meetings	p. 110
Key Steps for Successful Meetings	p. 111
Planning the Meeting	p. 111
Conducting the Meeting	p. 113
Follow up on Results	p. 115
Holding Effective Virtual Meetings	p. 115
Passing through the Impasse	p. 116
Dealing with "Bad Eggs"	p. 119
Rules for Meetings	p. 121
Worst and Best of Times	p. 121
Giving Effective Presentations	p. 125
PMIS Contributions	p. 125
Many Opportunities to Present	p. 125
Loss of Effectiveness	p. 126
Types of Presentations	p. 127
Characteristics of an Effective Presentation	p. 127
Preparation	p. 130
Rehearsal	p. 137
Delivery	p. 140
Post Delivery	p. 151
Summary	p. 152
Developing and Deploying a Web Site	p. 167
PMIS Contributions	p. 167
Three Main Advantages	p. 167
Two Main Challenges	p. 168
Important Guidelines	p. 168
Sharing and Visibility	p. 173
Building War Rooms	p. 175
PMIS Contributions	p. 175
Many Pluses	p. 175
Key Steps	p. 176
Challenges	p. 180
Valuable Asset	p. 181
The Key to Effective Leadership	p. 185
PMIS Requires Good Data	p. 185
PM Disciplines Not Enough	p. 186
Leadership	p. 186
References	p. 189
Books	p. 189
Articles	p. 192
Glossary	p. 199
Index	p. 209
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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Effective Communications for Project Management

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