Communication Methods
Communication methods are the systematic procedures used to transfer information among project stakeholders, classified into three categories: interactive, push, and pull communication.
Explanation
Interactive communication involves a real-time, multidirectional exchange of information between two or more parties. Examples include meetings, phone calls, video conferences, and instant messaging. This method is the most efficient way to ensure a common understanding because participants can ask questions, seek clarification, and provide immediate feedback. Interactive communication is ideal for complex or sensitive topics that require discussion.
Push communication involves sending information to specific recipients who need to know it, without requiring their immediate feedback. Examples include emails, memos, letters, faxes, voicemails, blogs, and press releases. The sender is responsible for ensuring the information is distributed but cannot guarantee that it was actually received or understood by the audience. Push communication is suitable for distributing status updates, announcements, and routine information.
Pull communication involves placing information in a central location where recipients can access it at their discretion. Examples include intranet sites, e-learning portals, knowledge repositories, and bulletin boards. This method is useful for large volumes of information or large audiences where it is impractical to push information to each recipient individually. The receiver is responsible for accessing the information. The project manager must select the appropriate method based on the urgency, complexity, and sensitivity of the message.
Key Points
- •Interactive: real-time, multidirectional exchange (meetings, calls, video conferences)
- •Push: information sent to specific recipients without requiring feedback (emails, memos)
- •Pull: information placed in a central location for recipients to access (intranet, repositories)
- •Method selection depends on urgency, complexity, sensitivity, and audience size
Exam Tip
For exam questions about choosing the best communication method, consider the situation: use interactive for complex or sensitive topics, push for routine updates to specific people, and pull for large audiences or reference material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Communication Technology
Communication technology refers to the tools, systems, and platforms used to transfer information among project stakeholders, ranging from face-to-face meetings to sophisticated digital collaboration platforms.
Manage Communications
Manage Communications is the process of ensuring timely and appropriate collection, creation, distribution, storage, retrieval, management, monitoring, and ultimate disposition of project information.
Plan Communications Management
Plan Communications Management is the process of developing an appropriate approach and plan for project communication activities based on the information needs of each stakeholder or group, available organizational assets, and the needs of the project.
Active Listening
Active listening is a communication technique where the listener fully concentrates on the speaker, understands the message, provides thoughtful responses, and retains the information being communicated.
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Communications Management
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