Can you overcommunicate your project?

When it comes to projects you can almost never over communicate.

• Projects create change, communicating what will change and what won't change is critical.

• Reduce surprises, expand involvement, commitment, and support for the change by communicating often.

• Communicating change is like planting a garden. Plant seeds into a receptive environment, nurture the seeds, and appreciate the time delay.

• Communicate formally and informally

• There are two main categories to communicate, the project work and the solution.

• Project communication includes the project work i.e. what's the work, who's doing the work, when will the work start and end, i.e. status.

• Project status is about work, schedule, budget, teams, and resources.

• Solution communication includes what will change, how will we use the project's deliverables, and what are the new processes, tools, behaviors.

• What are the key messages that need to be communicated?

• What are the intended actions or behaviors of each communication?

• Who needs to receive specific communications, who's the target audience?

• Why do they need the information?

• When do they need to receive the communications?

• How will the communications be delivered?

• What triggers do we need to be aware of to initiate specific communications?

• Where are the people located that need specific communications?

• Does a formal communication plan need to be developed?

• Is there an employee communication and or public relations requirement?

• Will customers and/or other external groups need specific communication?

• Who is the communications contact when the project leader is not available?

• Projects create change, identify who needs to be aware of the change, i.e. who's the target audience?

• If the communication requirements were previously defined then review the requirements & Identify any changes that may have occurred since developing the initial requirements and how those changes may impact communication.

• Determine formal and informal communication.

• Recognize that very often the most effective communication is informal

• Communicate, communicate, communicate