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Effective Communications for Project Managers
Learn how to plan and improve project communications
Stakeholders becoming disconnected from projects can lead to cost overruns, schedule delays, poor quality, lack of scope management, and rework—and these problems often result from poor communication. Utilizing effective communication skills, tools, and techniques to set and maintain expectations with all stakeholders provides a cohesive project environment and a better chance for success. Participants will learn how to improve project communications through a combination of role-play, lecture, and exercises, as well as how to develop and implement a comprehensive communications management plan. These skills can help you become a more effective communicator while improving the likelihood of success for your projects.
Course Outline
Lesson 1. Foundational Elements of Communications- Defining communication methods and terms
- Communication models
- Guidelines for effective communications
- Describing the project manager's role in managing project communications
- Identifying and assessing project stakeholders and leveraging common tools and techniques (e.g. Responsibility Matrix)
- Identifying organization and project communication channels
- Utilizing cultural capabilities to plan communications
- Developing the communications infrastructure checklist
- Developing the Communications Management Plan
- Calculating the number of lines of communications on a project team
- Defining the kick-off meetings (i.e. internal and external)
- Defining meeting guidelines
- Conducting project status reviews
- Developing project status reports specific to the audience
- Gathering, consolidating and developing performance reporting data
- Creating and distributing project information
- Monitoring and controlling communications throughout the project lifecycle
- Managing and resolving conflict and applying successful negotiating techniques
- Updating the Project Management Plan
Learner Outcomes
After completing this course, participants will be able to:- Describe the key foundational elements of communications management and communications models (e.g. Linear; Interactive; and Transactional) that may be applicable to a project
- Explain the role of and components of a Communications Management Plan on a project, as well as the project manager's role in managing project communications
- Conduct a stakeholder analysis
- Create a Responsibility Assignment Matrix
- Describe the types of status reporting required for projects
- Explain the importance of capturing lessons learned and conducting a project close-out review
- Apply common tools and techniques to manage project communications, including negotiation and conflict management and resolution
Effective Communications for Project Managers Course Information
Contact Hours
6 hours
Course Fee(s)
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