Effective communication methods are crucial for managing a project and involve ways to communicate project information to stakeholders. It is important for stakeholders to provide feedback and responses to ensure that information is understood. Without good communication methods, confusion and conflict can arise and the project may not progress.
Communication methods are determined in the communications management plan and actively used in manage communications process.
Interactive communication is used when instant responses are needed, and the content exchanged may be misinterpreted. Participants may be strangers to each other, and they take turns sharing what they have learned.
Push communication is used when disseminating information that does not require an instant reply or is not time-sensitive. The sender sends the message one way, and the recipient may not respond but takes action accordingly.
Pull communication requires the receiver to initiate communication to access information. It is appropriate for purely informational communication and does not jeopardize the project even if recipients never read the message.
See also: Communications Management Knowledge Area