Communication can be a challenge when several individuals are working together to complete a project. And to complicate things further, everyone has a different style of communicating and way of working.
“Not all projects succeed,” according to an in-depth report by the Project Management Institute. “On average, two in five projects do not meet their original goals and business intent, and one-half of those unsuccessful projects are related to ineffective communication.”
This is why communication is so important. Businesses and organizations with unproductive communication typically have fewer successful projects completed on time and on budget. Making communication a priority in our day-to-day work is just good business. Businesses lose an average of $11,000 a year due to poor communication—that’s more than $500,000 annually for a company with just 50 employees!
Goals for Effective Project Management Communication
We want to create clear communication about objectives, responsibilities, performance, expectations and feedback—both internal and external. The overarching goal is to do this effectively and efficiently without taking time away from the work itself. Effective communication is critical for successful projects.
At Campaignium, account managers advocate for the client (and our team) as we work to accomplish well-defined project goals. We apply our front-lines expertise and share what we know about each client’s communication preferences to ensure the best possible outcome.
Another big part of our jobs is knowing who should be included and when. Not everyone assigned to the project needs to be included in every email, every meeting and every quick conversation. It’s quite the opposite. We want to make sure everyone’s time is being used effectively. You’re busy and so are we. We respect that and want to protect that.
So what helps aid effective communication during a project? In our view, these five facets will tilt the odds in your favor:
- A detailed project timeline
- Clearly defined goals
- Understanding early on how the client and assigned team members communicate as well as their personality type and work habits
- Regular check-ins with everyone involved
- Responsiveness on all levels
Avoiding Common Project Management Communication Traps
Team to team and person to person, we’re all different. As project managers, we need to navigate these differences by first understanding how each team member on the project works. Then we need to get to know the client, learn their communication style and find out what works best for them.
Starting projects out on the right track requires detailed conversations about expectations and scope. And as we work through projects, we have to communicate and collaborate as a team on where we are and where we want to be. Depending on the client and what they’re wanting, our teams may even create a more robust strategy to meet expectations. It’s our job to take constructive criticism and work together as a team to achieve the best possible end result for the client.
We already shared our tips for effective communication, but what are the common traps that threaten to derail a project?
- Miscommunication, misunderstanding and mistakes
- Not being prepared
- Team members moving in different directions due to a lack of collaboration
- Conflicts between team members and/or clients
- Inability to take constructive feedback
A Never-Ending Learning Curve
We learn something from every project we’re a part of and take that cumulative wisdom into the next project. Our account managers are constantly learning new techniques and best practices to optimize our processes and adapt to each situation. No two projects are alike!
Successful project management communication is more than just talking and listening, it’s about understanding the ins and outs of a project from start to finish. It’s about being there for your client and your team through every phase of the project no matter how smoothly or bumpy things are going. It’s about realizing the challenges and stepping up to work together to solve them before they morph into big issues. Simply put, it’s about being present and engaged through the entire project life cycle.
Campaignium’s account managers love a good challenge. We’ve piloted numerous digital marketing projects through the ups and downs and across the finish line. But getting stuff done isn’t nearly as important as ending on a high note with a happy client. That’s always our No. 1 priority. If you’re ready to work with a team of strong and effective communicators, let’s connect and discuss your digital marketing needs.