Communications Management Plan
The communications management plan is a component of the project management plan that describes how project communications will be planned, structured, implemented, and monitored for effectiveness.
Explanation
The communications management plan is the primary output of the Plan Communications Management process. It provides a comprehensive framework that details stakeholder communication requirements, the information to be communicated, the reason for distribution, the timeframe and frequency, the person responsible for communicating, the person responsible for authorizing release of confidential information, the recipients, the methods or technologies used, and the resources allocated for communication activities.
A well-constructed communications management plan also includes escalation processes, a glossary of common terminology, flowcharts of information flow, and constraints from legislation, regulation, or organizational policy. It may reference the communication channels formula to justify the level of planning effort based on the number of stakeholders involved. The plan is a living document that should be reviewed and updated as stakeholders change or project needs evolve.
The communications management plan ensures that all team members and stakeholders understand how information will flow throughout the project, reducing confusion and improving collaboration. It serves as the authoritative reference for resolving disputes about who should have been informed about a particular decision or change.
Key Points
- •Component of the overall project management plan
- •Specifies what information is communicated, to whom, when, and how
- •Includes escalation processes and information flow diagrams
- •Should be updated as stakeholder needs and project circumstances change
Exam Tip
On the exam, if a question describes communication confusion or stakeholders not receiving needed information, the root cause is often a missing or inadequate communications management plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
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.
Stakeholder Communication Requirements
Stakeholder communication requirements define the information needs of each stakeholder or stakeholder group, including what information they need, when they need it, how it should be delivered, and who is responsible for providing it.
Communication Channels Formula
The communication channels formula, n(n-1)/2, calculates the total number of potential communication channels in a project, where n is the number of stakeholders including the project manager.
Status Reports
Status reports are formal or informal documents that provide the current state of the project, including progress toward objectives, risks, issues, and any deviations from the project plan.
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The risk register is a project document that records the details of individual project risks, including their identification, analysis results, response plans, and current status.
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Cost Performance Index (CPI) is an EVM efficiency metric that measures cost performance as the ratio of earned value to actual cost: CPI = EV / AC.
Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
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Power/Influence Grid
The power/influence grid is a stakeholder classification model that groups stakeholders based on their level of authority (power) and their active involvement or ability to affect the project (influence).
Part of
Communications Management
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