How can you improve communication with network engineers and stakeholders?

1 Understand your audience

The first step to effective communication is to know who you are talking to and what they need from you. Different stakeholders have different levels of technical knowledge, interest, and involvement in your network engineering project. For example, a client may only care about the business benefits and the budget, while a vendor may focus on the technical specifications and the compatibility. A manager may want to see the progress and the risks, while another engineer may want to share the details and the challenges. You need to tailor your message according to your audience's goals, preferences, and background, and use appropriate language, tone, and format.

2 Use clear and consistent terminology

Network engineering is a complex and dynamic field that involves many acronyms, jargons, and concepts. While these terms may be familiar to you and your fellow engineers, they may not be understood by other stakeholders, or they may have different meanings in different contexts. To avoid confusion and misinterpretation, you need to use clear and consistent terminology when communicating with others. Define any acronyms or technical terms that you use, and provide examples or analogies if needed. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, or vague expressions that may cause ambiguity. Use the same terms throughout your communication, and check for any inconsistencies or errors.

3 Use visual aids and tools

Sometimes, words are not enough to convey your network engineering ideas and solutions. You may need to use visual aids and tools to supplement your verbal or written communication, and to make it easier for others to understand and remember your message. For example, you can use diagrams, charts, graphs, or maps to illustrate your network design, topology, architecture, or performance. You can use screenshots, videos, or demos to show your network implementation, testing, or troubleshooting. You can use tools such as ping , traceroute , or Wireshark to demonstrate your network analysis, monitoring, or optimization.

4 Listen and ask questions

Communication is not a one-way street. You also need to listen and ask questions to ensure that you understand and are understood by others. Listening is not just hearing, but paying attention, showing interest, and acknowledging what others are saying. Asking questions is not just seeking information, but clarifying, confirming, and exploring what others are expressing. By listening and asking questions, you can build rapport, trust, and respect with your stakeholders, and you can identify any gaps, issues, or opportunities in your network engineering project.

5 Provide feedback and follow up

Communication does not end when you deliver your message or receive a response. You also need to provide feedback and follow up with your stakeholders to maintain and improve your communication. Feedback is not just criticism, but appreciation, recognition, and suggestion. Follow up is not just reminder, but update, confirmation, and action. By providing feedback and follow up, you can show your commitment, accountability, and professionalism, and you can ensure that your network engineering project is on track, on budget, and on quality.

6 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?