Successfully completing any project requires a perfect storm of skills, tools, technology and people. However, it also requires good communication with and throughout your team. Without good communication, no project can be successful, no matter how small it might be in terms of scope. In order to see success, you need to ensure that not only do you have good communication from the outset, but that you are able to maintain that communication throughout the duration of the project. How do you do that?
Consider Training
It might seem like this would take away from time in the project, but if you have team members that lack good communication skills, training is vital. In order to ensure that any training does not affect your project, it’s important that you assess each team member’s ability before the project starts. Then, you can determine if additional training will be required without having to lose time. However, even time lost during a project to communication training can be a small price to pay. You’ll also find a range of training types out there, from seminars to online classes.
Have Technology in Place
More and more frequently, team members are not located in the same place geographically. Your team might consist of people on other sides of the country, or even the world. To ensure that you are able to communicate effectively with everyone, it’s important to have the right technology in place. Cell phones and landlines are obvious solutions here, but you should also understand your options in terms of software and apps, both for PCs/Macs and mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers. There are few things that cannot be overcome by having the right technology in place, so know your options, choose your tools wisely and make sure that everyone on the team knows how to use them.
Don’t Make Email Your Main Tool
Email is incredibly handy. It works across national borders and there’s no charge for multiple emails sent the way you can use minutes up on you cell phone. However, if you’re relying on email as your main tool for communication, you’re setting yourself up for failure. It’s very easy to misunderstand information in an email, and it’s very difficult to convey a sense of urgency without coming across as a tyrant. Don’t make email your main tool – instead, look for collaboration software, meet in person, or actually speak together on the phone (conference calls should be a regular feature of your team).
Do It Today
Finally, procrastination is a terrible thing in any situation, but it can be detrimental when it comes to communication within your team. No matter where your team members are located (down the hall or across the country), every one of them should be dedicated to replying, communicating and completing requests the same day they’re made. While this won’t be possible at all times, it can be enormously beneficial and help not only keep your communication agile and accurate, but ensure better success for your project.
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