Development Cooperation Handbook/Designing and Executing Projects/How team members can improve overall project communication

Guideline: How team members can improve overall project communication

Awareness
 * Base communication strategies on stakeholder needs and feedback.
 * Ensure that communication is shared in a timely manner.

Content
 * Advocate open, honest, face-to-face, two-way communication.
 * Create an environment where project team members and other stakeholders can constructively challenge behavior and ideas.

Context
 * Remember that communication is two-way. Listen as well as deliver the message.
 * Involve senior management when appropriate.

Communication flow
 * Coordinate communication with project milestone events, activities, and results.
 * Include key stakeholders in developing an interest-based conflict management process.

Effectiveness
 * Conduct regular assessments of the communication plan and process.
 * Communication must focus on the beneficiary.

Format and media
 * Take advantage of existing communication vehicles and opportunities.
 * The project team has a variety of methods to share information.

Self review
Questions to ask yourself while writing a report
 * 1) What do you want to say?
 * 2) To whom do you want to say it?
 * 3) How are you going to say it?
 * 4) How will you organize you ideas?
 * 5) Can you be logical?
 * 6) Can you prove it?
 * 7) How many numbers do you throw at them?
 * 8) Is your report believable?
 * 9) Is it simple?
 * 10) Is it too long?

Templates








Checklists
What to do in order to obtain information about a project

What to ask in order to obtain information about a project

What to say in order to provide information about a project

Guidelines
Guideline: how to report project performance

How to built the trust and provide solid support for your reports