10.1 Plan Communications Management
Process Definition
During the project initiation phase the communications management function developed a list of stakeholders and their relevant roles on the project. In the planning phase the project manager determines the information needs of each of the stakeholders and develops a communications approach to satisfy those needs. This plan then feeds into the overall project management plan.Process Assessment
I've never seen or used a communications plan in the real world, but I think a brief plan would be useful. It would help the project manager conduct a thoughtful assessment of which key stakeholders need which information, then document that need. This will help facilitate good communications, and transfer that knowledge to future PMs as necessary.
Figure 20. Plan Communications Management: Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs. Reprinted from "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), 5th Edition" by Project Management Institute, 2013, p. 289. Copyright 2013 by Project Management Institute, Inc. Reprinted without permission.
- Communications Requirements Analysis: This white paper describes a simple technique for communications analysis for small projects.
- Communications Methods: Presentation developed by Dr. Carswell outlining communications methods tools and techniques for developing a communications plan.
- Project Communications Management Plan: A sample project communications plan defining which stakeholders need which information, when and how frequently, and who is to provide it. The communications plan is the primary output from the "Plan Communications" process.