People in Projects

Communicate

Develop a communication plan at the beginning of your project, and stick to it.

1. Define your audience.

2. Define the key thought or message.

3. Give that message three times and in three ways.

4. Don’t forget to save a copy (either electronically or on paper, not both) for records management.

5. Select the right time and place. Never have anything due on Friday afternoon. You won’t look at it until Monday morning anyway, and having it due Monday morning will give the person two more days to work on it if needed.

6. Use bullets and graphics.

7. Try to use one screen to get your information communicated if using electronic media.

8. Preplan your voice-mail messages. No one likes to listen to rambling.