PROJ-650: Monitoring and Control

4.1 Discussion: Communication Management

Getting Started

Communication is a necessary skill for a project manager. In any project, a communication plan is a helpful tool. The communication plan lists each stakeholder and identifies how they will be communicated with and how often. Team status and decision-making meetings are another form of communication. Gathering estimates of all kinds from resources taps into communication skills. Brainstorming mitigation strategies for risks that come along in a project requires many types of communication skills.

Listening skills are a part of communication also. Listening and not talking is difficult for some people. Listening is more than necessary, it’s a critical skill for a project manager. Good listening leads to team trust and accuracy in communication.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

• Apply a biblical perspective to communication management.

Resources

• Bible (English Standard Version is used for all scripture quotations in this course unless otherwise specified.)
• PMI Documents on Ethics: Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct and Ethical Decision-Making Framework

Background Information

Do you communicate with everyone in the same way? Probably not. Different vehicles for communication will look and feel different to the recipient. Talking face to face is different from reading an email. With written communication, body language and subtle clues to the meaning being conveyed are lost.

Would you communicate with God via an email? Certainly not. Prayer is a method of communication passed down through the centuries. Does prayer work? According to the Bible in Philippians 4, John 15, and Mark 11, it does. For example, when dealing with news of kidney cancer, this author said a simple prayer of “Lord take the fear away.” This prayer was instantly answered, and the process was much easier for gaining victory over cancer—17 years and counting.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:7

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Navigate to the discussion thread and respond to the following prompts:
   1. What is your favorite form of communication (e.g., email, texting, phone call, social media, FaceTime, talking face to face, other)? Why?
   2. When would written forms of communication be most appropriate for a project?
   3. If Jesus were standing in front of you, what would you talk about?
3. In contrast to some of your prior courses, your initial post is due Day Three of the workshop, not Day Four.
4. Your initial post should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least 1 reference. Responses to peers should be a minimum of 100 words.
5. Properly cite and reference one or more of the workshop’s sources in your original post
6. All references and citations should be in APA format.
   1. Review the APA Style pagefor information on how to cite sources and format citations and references properly.
   2. You may also review the OCLS Evaluating Sources pageto see the criteria for credible Internet research websites.
7. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings, as well as follow-up instructor questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop. Responses should be at least 100 words.
8. Your postings also should:
   1. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.
   2. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.
   3. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and provide insight into the discussion.