Which Organizations Should Be Involved In Communications Planning?

It is through effective communication that project goals and objectives are understood, progress is tracked, and issues are known and resolved. In order to ensure clear and effective communication throughout a project, it is vital for the project manager to involve the appropriate organizations in the communication planning process.

There are two main groups of people with whom the project manager needs to ensure clear and effective communication: the stakeholders and the project team. External partners may also be involved in the planning process.

1. Stakeholders

Stakeholders are individuals or groups that have a vested interest in the project and its outcome. These may include customers, shareholders, regulatory agencies, and other members of the public. 

The project manager must ensure that communication with stakeholders is clear, timely, and relevant to their needs and concerns. This may involve holding regular meetings, sending out progress reports, or conducting surveys to gauge satisfaction.

2. The Project Team

The project team, on the other hand, involves all of the individuals working on the project. These may include the project manager, engineers, designers, and other specialists. 

Effective communication among team members is essential to the success of the project. The project manager must ensure that team members are kept informed of project progress and that they have the information they need to perform their tasks. This may involve holding regular team meetings, sending out progress reports, or conducting training sessions.

3. External Partners

In addition to these two groups, there are other organizations that should also be involved in the communication planning process. These may include external partners such as suppliers, vendors, contractors, as well as internal groups such as the project sponsor and the executive management team.

The importance of involving the appropriate organizations in the communication planning process cannot be overstated. Each of these groups plays a unique role in the project, and effective communication between them is essential to achieving project goals and objectives.

Final Thoughts

In summary, effective communication is essential to the success of a project, and the project manager must ensure that the appropriate organizations are involved in the communication planning process. By involving these organizations in the communication planning process, the project manager can ensure that communication is clear, timely, and relevant to the needs of all parties involved.