How can you effectively communicate archival research project goals and objectives to team members?

1 Define your project scope and purpose

Before you start any archival research project, you need to have a clear and concise statement of what you want to achieve, why it is important, and how it relates to your broader research question or problem. This will help you set realistic and measurable goals and objectives that align with your project scope and purpose. You should also communicate your project scope and purpose to your team members, so they understand the context and rationale of your project, and can contribute accordingly.

2 Identify your project stakeholders and their roles

Archival research projects often involve multiple stakeholders, such as researchers, archivists, librarians, funders, publishers, or end-users. You need to identify who they are, what their interests and expectations are, and what their roles and responsibilities are in relation to your project. You should also communicate with them regularly, and keep them informed of your project progress, challenges, and outcomes. By doing so, you can build trust and rapport, and ensure that your project meets the needs and requirements of your stakeholders.

3 Use appropriate communication tools and methods

Depending on the size, complexity, and duration of your archival research project, you may need to use different communication tools and methods to communicate your project goals and objectives to your team members. For example, you may use email, phone, video conferencing, or online platforms to communicate with remote or dispersed team members, or you may use face-to-face meetings, workshops, or presentations to communicate with local or co-located team members. You should also consider the frequency, format, and tone of your communication, and tailor them to suit your audience and purpose.

4 Provide clear and specific instructions and feedback

When you communicate your project goals and objectives to your team members, you should also provide clear and specific instructions and feedback on how they can achieve them. You should explain what tasks they need to do, how they need to do them, when they need to do them, and what resources they need to use. You should also monitor their performance, and give them constructive and timely feedback on their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. By doing so, you can ensure that your team members are on the same page, and can work efficiently and effectively.

5 Encourage collaboration and participation

One of the benefits of working in a team is that you can leverage the diverse skills, knowledge, and perspectives of your team members, and enhance the quality and impact of your archival research project. To do so, you need to encourage collaboration and participation among your team members, and create a positive and supportive team culture. You can do this by inviting their input and feedback, acknowledging their contributions and achievements, resolving conflicts and issues, and celebrating successes and milestones.

6 Review and evaluate your project goals and objectives

Finally, you need to review and evaluate your project goals and objectives regularly, and check if they are still relevant, realistic, and achievable. You should also communicate your project results and outcomes to your team members, and discuss how they align with your project goals and objectives. You should also reflect on your communication process and practices, and identify what worked well, what did not work well, and what can be improved for future archival research projects.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?