Communications management

Part seven in a series of seven articles. Each article examines one of the seven project management functions outlined in PMI Project #121, PMI's effort to create a project management body of knowledge. This article identifies the four parts of communications--the communicator, the message, the medium, and the recipient--and explains the manner in which each of these parts affects project communications. It then examines the relationship between communications and successful projects. It also lists the key elements involved in managing project communications, elements that include processes (transmitting, filtering, receiving, interpreting), skills (technique, style), environment (channels, logistics), and applications (functions, tools). Accompanying this article are a function impact matrix chart (showing the relationship between communications management processes and the functions and processes of project management) and a glossary of project management terms related to managing project communications.