Essence of Communication in Project Management

In any other discipline or business the importance of communication cannot be overemphasized in managing projects. Statistics show that seventy four percent(74%) of  projects are unsuccessful. One of the many factors that contribute to the failure of these projects is poor or insufficient communication. The importance of communication in the success of a project is immense. Careful communication planning and setting the right expectations with all the project stakeholders is extremely important. Face to face initial communication within the project team to establish the team dynamics and learning the customer's expectations are the keys to success when starting a project. The success of a project is a matter of effective communication.
 

What’s the most important skill a project manager has? Communication. Project managers spend about ninety percent of their time communicating. Think about it: meetings, phone calls, memos, emails, reports, presentations, and the list goes on and on. Project manager spend
the bulk of their day communicating news, ideas, and knowledge. A project manager is a communicator.

Communication can be influenced by management styles. To be an effective manager, you need to understand the basic styles of management, and when they are or are not appropriate. The various management styles are described below:

• Authoritarian: the one most commonly used by inexperienced managers. In this style the manager believes he or she makes every decision without counsel or buy-in from others and must be obeyed without question.

• Combative: Management approach in which the project manager displays an eagerness to fight or be disagreeable over any given situation. thrives on conflict.

• Conciliatory: Management approach in which the project manager is friendly and agreeable and attempts to unite all project parties involved to provide compatible working team. It could also be the practice of bringing together the parties in a dispute with an independent third party, so that the dispute can be settled through a series of negotiations.

• Disruptive: Management approach in which the project manager tends to destroy the unity of the team, be an agitator, and cause disorder on the project.

• Ethical : Management approach in which the project manager is always honest, sincere and fair. Always following the rule book.

• Facilitating: Management approach in which the project manager makes himself or herself available to answer questions and provide guidance when needed but does not interfere with day-to-day tasks.

• Intimidating: Management approach in which the project manager projects s tough guy and enjoys reprimanding people.

• Judicial: management approach in which the project manager applies sound judgement.

• Promotional: management approach in which the project manager works at promoting team spirit and ensures recognition and reward for good work.strives to ensure people realize their full potential.

• Secretive: management approach in which the project manager does not share information.

• Democratic: also known as Participative management is an approach in which the project manager and project team make decisions jointly.

 None are always good; none are always bad. However, some are generally preferable, and each must be used in the proper context.