You’re a construction manager. How can you improve project communication?

The medium of communication is not so important. To have a good communication channel, we should be good listeners especially when you are heading a team. The team should feel their opinions being valued. To have an effective communication channel, the medium should be emotional connectivity between the team not through enforced communication connectivity no matter whatever latest technology and tools you are using. Enforced connectivity may seem effective to the communicator but not for the person on the other side. Also a good leader filters out the pressure he had received from higher hierarchy while conveying the message downstream.

In my experience - Schedule regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss progress and updates. - Utilize digital communication tools for quick information exchange. - Maintain clear and concise documentation of project plans and decisions. - Establish a communication protocol outlining roles and responsibilities. - Prioritize transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Planejar a comunica??o para um gerente de constru??o civil envolve a defini??o de estratégias e a??es que facilitem a troca eficiente de informa??es entre todas as partes envolvidas no projeto. Essas estratégias passam pela identifica??o dos stakeholders do projeto, defini??o dos objetivos e sele??o dos canais de comunica??o, defini??o de reuni?es, implementa??o de sistemas de informa??o, treinamento, feedback contínuo e sobre tudo flexibilidade e adapta??o a mudan?as.

Craft, planning and ownership are ESSENTIAL - Type and nature of the project needs to be understood in its entirety by all the stakeholders and need to constantly update the team to ensure everyone is working to the latest mandate - to ensure everyone is able to contribute in a timely manner. Above all, project needs to be set up in a manner where everyone’s contribution is recognised to create a strong sense of ownership - a community effort…..

Communication is key for success of any project especially if it involves multicultural and stakeholders from different countries. The preciseness of the communication becomes very important. Planning the communication at the start of the project will lead to great efficiency and clear expectations set resulting in avoiding delays due to misunderstandings or miscommunication.

Select appropriate communication tools for different types of messages. Utilize project management software, email, collaboration platforms, and regular meetings as needed. Ensure that the chosen tools align with the preferences and technological capabilities of your project team.

Effective communication tools should be tailored to meet the specific needs of different stakeholders in a construction project. For top executives, leveraging robust data visualization tools like Power BI is beneficial, enabling quick comprehension of complex project insights for strategic decision-making. On the other hand, supervisors find value in tools such as Microsoft Project, designed for detailed planning and tracking of tasks. When I was working on Portfolio management for Air Liquide, I understood that, additionally, incorporating mobile communication tools like Fieldwire or Procore facilitates real-time information flow between the office and the field, optimizing project coordination.

I completely agree with you. Having the right systems, tools, and management team with the appropriate vision can greatly streamline the adopted methods and help train the staff to use them effectively. It's crucial to have a holistic approach to manage a business and ensure its success. With the right team and tools in place, you can achieve your goals more efficiently and effectively.

Choosing the right tools for construction communication can be challenging due to the diverse needs and preferences of stakeholders involved. For routine updates and information sharing: Utilize email, online collaboration platforms, or project management software depending on the audience and complexity of information. For urgent issues and quick updates: Phone calls or text messages can be effective. For meetings and presentations: Video conferencing is a valuable tool for remote or geographically dispersed teams. For real-time collaboration and task management: Utilize online collaboration platforms or project management software.

Construction managers must carefully choose the most effective communication tools. Choose systems that meet project requirements, allow collaboration, and assure timely information flow. Whether it's project management software or communication applications, the correct tools improve efficiency and streamline project communication to achieve best results.

Default to using the Minto Pyramid principle as a framework for making your communication more efficient and clear. The Pyramid Principle organizes communication hierarchically. It begins with your central message, then branches out into supporting ideas, and finally, ends with the detailed data. Imagine a pyramid: the wide base represents all the tiny details, and as you go up, the information gets consolidated into general points, with the most important, big idea at the top. In the context of construction management, where complexity is the norm, the Pyramid Principle can be a daily tool. When delivering a message or document, lead with your conclusion, support it with key points, and then back up your points with detailed evidence.

In my opinion, clear and concise communication is crucial, particularly in construction projects. Providing information in a straightforward manner ensures that the recipient understands the exact requirements. Writing lengthy paragraphs can complicate the communication process and hinder a clear understanding of expectations. When communicating, it is beneficial to offer background information and explain tasks, especially if the recipient may not be familiar with certain aspects. This approach helps prevent misunderstandings and reduces the likelihood of flaws, rework, or improper workmanship that could negatively impact the overall project.

It's essential to steer clear of industry jargon or undefined acronyms, as they can dilute the clarity of your message. Always prioritize tailoring your language to your audience, taking into consideration their background, expertise, and familiarity with technical terms. This ensures that your communication remains accessible and easily understood, fostering effective collaboration and preventing any potential misunderstandings.

Definiendo qué, cómo, cuándo y a quién comunicar. Esto es, formulando un Plan de Gestión de Comunicaciones. Además: capacitando para hacer comunicaciones efectivas y escucha activa. Importante destacar: - No todo interesa a todos. - Un exceso de información bloquea al receptor.

Clarity is essential in construction project communications. Keep messages succinct and minimize extraneous details. Use simple language to deliver information and avoid misconceptions among team members. Clear and succinct communication improves comprehension, encourages quick decision-making, and helps to the overall success of the project.

Listen actively to your team, conduct regular meetings to foster communication, demonstrate a thorough understanding of their opinions, and encourage open dialogue. Ensure stakeholder satisfaction by consistently providing them with detailed status reports on the project.

Listen to the issues and understand before u reply with solutions for other party to imply in the field very useful to understand the other party problem and u as a PM must have enough field experience to troubleshoot the issues

I strongly believe construction reporting it's not just about providing a response; it's about ensuring that the message resonates with the primary audience. It involves delivering a precise message customized to meet the specific needs of your audience, ultimately providing added value for decision-makers.

To ensure a successful project, it is crucial for teams to actively listen to the concerns of those involved, including materials shortages, staff resources, and safety issues. By being transparent and communicating openly and honestly, teams can avoid surprises and ensure that information is conveyed accurately and effectively.

Garantir que as informa??es relevantes estejam disponíveis para todos os envolvidos no projeto, promovendo uma cultura de transparência e colabora??o.

Receiving feedback is pivotal in my communication strategy. In my reports, I deliberately include specific points that prompt answers and opinions. By distributing these reports to staff across various departments, I aim to leverage their diverse perspectives to refine and streamline my messages for greater clarity and precision

One thing that I always do is continue to review how things are going. Once a system is in place it doesn't mean that you can walk away, plus it won't be perfect to start. Make sure to get feedback from all and make needed changes as time goes on.

Regularly analysing and enhancing communication techniques is critical for construction managers. Evaluate the success of previous communications, solicit team input, and identify areas for improvement. Implement modifications based on lessons learned to constantly improve project communication, promoting an improvement culture and assuring long-term project success.

I will also advise to develop a crisis communication plan to address unforeseen issues or emergencies promptly. This includes identifying key contacts, communication channels, and predefined messages for different scenarios.

Implement a dynamic information hub leveraging cloud-based collaboration tools. Foster a culture of proactive information sharing by establishing regular virtual huddles, encouraging team members to share insights and potential roadblocks. Introduce a project-specific communication platform that streamlines updates, integrates with existing workflows, and facilitates real-time collaboration. Encourage a feedback loop to continuously refine communication strategies, ensuring they align with the evolving project dynamics, and consider periodic cross-disciplinary knowledge-sharing sessions to promote a holistic understanding among team members.

Follow up on actions... Too often things are discussed and tacitly agreed in meetings. And then lost. Only by tracking and following up will meetings be affective. Otherwise, they become mere talking shops and a waste of everyone's time

- In my experience in the construction environment stick to the communication plan. If it does not have an emergency procedure then define the criteria and procedure to follow and update the communication plan accordingly. - The communication plan and the reporting plan work hand in hand, a poor reporting plan will almost always leave the PM/stakeholders with questions. I suggest identify the shortcomings in the reporting plan and review it regularly. - It might not be a good time to make an unscheduled call. It might interrupt a highly very sensitive activity or even compromising Health and Safety regulations. - I would suggest use the latest communication tools available, for instance a short 'sms' will do equally well. Stick to a plan.

Once you have a complete development team, it is critical to all be on the same communication system. However, in the beginning of a project, there are a lot of ways to communicate with stakeholders and decision makers throughout the initial creative, planning design and permitting process. WEEKLY REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROJECT MEETINGS ARE CRITICAL TO KEEP COMMUNICATIONS WORKING. AND GROUND EVERYONE WEEKLY FOR FOCUSING THE TASK AT HAND.Zoom works for everything else. Email for group communication and text messages for direct instant communications is OK. As long as you’re not leaving out any important people in that text message. Be careful not to create too much texting because it can accidentally exclude people in the process.