The Importance of Project Communications

Project communications are not only important for the obvious reasonkeeping individual stakeholders properly and consistently informed on the status, progress, and impact of the projectthey are a key determinant factor to the overall success of the project. Why is this? Here are a few key reasons:

• Managing expectations We'll discuss managing expectations in greater detail in the next chapter, but for now, we'll just say that the quality and effectiveness of your communications will have a tremendous impact on stakeholder perceptions regarding the project and your role as a leader.
• Managing the project team Your ability to communicate is the prominent factor affecting how well you manage and lead the core project team.
• Reducing conflicts There are enough challenges executing your average project with the customary time, fiscal, and resource constraints without adding unnecessary conflicts that result from misperceptions, lack of information, or non-existent issues. All of which result from ineffective communications.
• The saving grace Every solid project manager knows there are two skills that will carry him/her in almost any project situation: organization and communication. Being excellent in these areas, especially project communications, will compensate for shortcomings in almost every other area.