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10 - PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT

The project manager should also consider the number of potential communication channels or paths as an
indicator of the complexity of a project’s communications. The total number of potential communication channels
is n(n – 1)/2, where n represents the number of stakeholders. For example, a project with 10 stakeholders has
10(10 – 1)/2 = 45 potential communication channels. As a result, a key component of planning the project’s
actual communications is to determine and limit who will communicate with whom and who will receive what
information.

Sources of information typically used to identify and define project communication requirements include, but
are not limited to:

• Organizational charts;
• Project organization and stakeholder responsibility relationships;

• Disciplines, departments, and specialties involved in the project;
• Logistics of how many persons will be involved with the project and at which locations;

• Internal information needs (e.g., when communicating within organizations);
• External information needs (e.g., when communicating with the media, public, or contractors); and
• Stakeholder information and communication requirements from within the stakeholder register.

10.1.2.2 communication technology

The methods used to transfer information among project stakeholders may vary significantly. For example, a
project team may use techniques from brief conversations to extended meetings, or from simple written documents
to extensive materials (e.g., schedules, databases, and websites), which are accessible online as methods of
communication.

Factors that can affect the choice of communication technology include:

• urgency of the need for information. There is a need to consider the urgency, frequency, and format
of the information to be communicated as they may vary from project to project and also within different
stages of a project.

• Availability of technology. There is a need to ensure that the technology that is required to facilitate
communication is compatible, available, and accessible for all stakeholders throughout the life of the
project.

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