Communication

Throughout this section on ‘Being a Client’ the need for good communication keeps appearing. The process of design and delivery of a major capital project demands the clear and careful communication of ideas, needs, facts and instructions to ensure good decision-making and successful actions to the completion of the project.

How often is the excuse ‘I didn’t know …….’ used when something goes wrong. Good communication ensures knowledge and knowledge transfer.

It is important to establish a communications strategy perhaps based on the following key principles:

• Good, honest and open two-way communication is at the heart of a successful project.
• Strong communication is essential to the project process and how delivery is achieved.
• Information should be shared and made available to support working in partnership to achieve excellence.
• All communication should be clear, easy to understand, timely and up to date.

At the start of a project process the responsibility for communication should be established along with the methods and protocols to ensure all participants understand what is required of them. The Project Manager is a key player in communication and should establish within the Project Execution Plan the rules for communication.

Talking is often quicker, easier and more successful then sending an e-mail.