The Science and Art of Effective Communication

Dr Lynda Bourne PMP
Director, Mosaic Project Services Pty Ltd

Two Day Workshop July 7 - 8, 2009

The key to project success is effective communication that ensures important stakeholders receive the right information about the project at the right time. The foundations of effective communication are knowing who the important stakeholders are, how best to deliver appropriate messages to them, and finally measuring the effectiveness of the communication.

The Stakeholder Circle® methodology provides an effective mechanism for identifying then assessing the relative importance of each stakeholder, understanding their expectations and defining an appropriate communications strategy to engage with, and influence both their expectations and perceptions of the project. This is the science of effective communication. How the communication is achieved: the construction of the messages, the selection of the message type and the messenger, and the factors that enhance or form barriers must also be considered. This is the art of effective communication

This workshop is based around a case study, blending theory with practice in an engaging, informative manner. Participants working in small project teams identify their stakeholder community and then determine appropriate communication strategies to help manage stakeholders.

Objectives

This workshop will help project personnel develop the skills needed to build and maintain effective project relationships using targeted communications and understand the importance of pro-actively managing the key relationships between the stakeholder community and the project.

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of the workshop, trainees will:

• Understand the critical relationship between stakeholders’ perceptions of the project and the project’s ultimate success or failure.
• Understand communications theory as it applies to the project environment.
• Understand the dynamic nature of each project’s unique stakeholder community.
• Be capable of identifying, prioritizing and engaging effectively with key stakeholders.
• Understand the importance of ‘mutuality’ in the management of stakeholders’ expectations and perceptions.
• Understand the importance of planned and managed communications in building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders.
• Be capable of monitoring and tracking the effectiveness of the stakeholder engagement strategy adopted by the project team.

Seminar Style

• Workshop, instructor lead with case studies and exercises

Target Audience

• Experienced Project Managers, PMO Managers, Senior Managers