A big reason for project failure
Advice from a superstar project manager
Below, we’ve picked out five rules that focus on communication (but you can see all 128 here).
Rule 24
Everyone does better if they can see the whole picture, so don’t hide any of it from anyone.
Rule 36
A puzzle is hard to discern from just one piece, so don’t be surprised if team members deprived of information reach the wrong conclusion.
Rule 38
The amount of reviews and reports are proportional to management’s understanding, i.e. the less management knows or understands the activities, the more it requires reviews and reports. It is necessary in this type of environment to make sure the data is presented so that the average person, slightly familiar with activities, can understand it. Keeping the data simple and clear never insults anyone’s intelligence.
Rule 53
Cooperative efforts require good communications and early warning systems. A project manager should try to keep his partners aware of what is going on and should be the one who tells them first of any rumour or actual changes in plan. The partners should be consulted before things are put in final form, even if they only have a small piece of the action. A project manager who blindsides his partners will be treated in kind and will be considered a person of no integrity.
Rule 57
Abbreviations are getting to be a pain… Use them sparingly in presentations unless your objective is to confuse.
As Jerry points out in those five points, good communication and stakeholder management is vital for project planning. That’s why we’ve created a guide that explores this in more detail, alongside the other key factors.
Check out Mission Controlled: the 5-Step Guide to Planning Projects