Top Ten Ways to Improve Communication on Your Project

There are many ingredients that come together to ensure that a project is successful, and one of the most important is effective communication. If you don’t have this, your project is destined for failure. The last thing we want is for your project to be unsuccessful, and that is why we have put together this article. Read on to discover the top ten ways to improve communication on your project.
The Top Ten
1 Build team spirit

You may be wondering what this has to do with communication. But, if your team gets on well, they will naturally communicate better.

2 Make use of online tools

While meetings are important, you do not need to have a meeting for every development or update. Plus, did you know that most people spend one-fifth of their day trying to find someone to help with a specific task or chasing information? This is definitely an inefficient use of time, and can result in your project falling behind. All of this can be resolved by using online tools that encourage collaboration and free-flowing communication. It means that the project is centralised in one place, so that every team member can access information easily and quickly.

3 Manage conflict

Conflict can have a negative impact on the group’s productivity, making it difficult to communicate effectively with one and other. You need to list out for underlying messages during conversations and take the appropriate steps.

4 Use appropriate communication methods

You need to know when to use certain methods of communication. Sending emails can create a backlog, and meetings should only be scheduled when they are needed. Some moments call for face-to-face meetings; other situations merely require instant messaging. It is up to you to know what to use and when.

5 Invite the right people to meetings

Meetings are a waste of time for those not directly involved or affected.

6 Take a training course

There are lots of project management training courses today, and they will all have a great focus on communication. After all, it is one of the most essential elements of a project. Project management training is not only for beginners; there is always room for improvement.

7 Be clear about roles and responsibilities

Problems can occur when unclear instructions are given. If a member of your team does not understand exactly what is required of them, they will not be able to complete tasks to the standard you expect.

8 Encourage two-way feedback

You need to know how to give feedback that is constructive and detailed. Feedback can create extra boundaries when it is not given properly.

9 Have an open door policy

You need to create an environment whereby your team feel able to communicate with you. Physically opening the door to your office can make a big difference. Also, make sure that you are transparent. You cannot expect your team to be if you are not.

10 Define meeting objectives

Before holding a meeting, define the objectives, and stick to them.