Who wrote this book, and why?
Connie Plowman is a certified project management professional (PMP®) and an experienced chief operating officer. She puts her communication skills to use in her leadership roles—as a corporate executive, educator, volunteer, mentor, and project advocate. She is a project management instructor and guest speaker, helping to develop the skills of emerging project managers and business leaders. As a participant on diverse global project teams, Connie has experienced how effective communication can truly drive project and team success. Contact Connie via her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/connieplowman/
Jill Diffendal is a seasoned writer, editor, communicator, and administrator with a passion for engaging audiences across a wide range of industries through traditional, electronic, and new media. She has spent her career communicating with people around the world through both operational and project-based work, focusing on stakeholder engagement and realization of benefits. As a communication subject matter expert, she emphasizes—and has experienced first-hand—the value and benefit that effective communication brings to projects, teams, and organizations. Contact Jill via her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-diffendal/
We were first connected by an introductory email from a mutual colleague—one of many different forms of communication that took place on this project. As we wrote this book, we found ourselves using, practicing, and experimenting with the same project communication practices that you will read about in these pages.
Like many project teams starting out, there was uncertainty, both about the project and with each other. We eliminated uncertainty by developing, and using, a project communications management plan. We made changes when the plan needed adjustment. We set clear expectations, listened to each other’s ideas, provided feedback, communicated with stakeholders, used many different tools and techniques to effectively communicate—including our talents and strengths—and ultimately, built trust.
We do not present this book as the “be all, end all” in project communications. Rather, it is a resource to encourage you to broaden the way you look at communicating on projects, and to offer insights, tools, and techniques to bring that perspective into your projects.
Effective communication leads to project success. We know it. We experienced it. We completed the book on time, within scope, and under budget.
When it comes to project communications, we walk the talk. So can you!