Contents Prefacexi Figures.. xiii About the Author xv Chapter 1 The Elements of Project Communications Management..1 Five Basic Communications Truths Facing Project Managers..3 Understanding the Communications Process .5 The Communications Process..7 Sender and Receiver8 Message ..10 Medium 11 Feedback. 13 Variables. 15 Setting 17 At the Center21 A Difficult Process.22 References22 Chapter 2 Establishing the Project Management Information System25 Definition and Components..25 Key Characteristics.27 Roles28 Developing an Automated PMIS ..28 Data Versus Information30 Types of Repositories. 34 Keys to Making a PMIS Meaningful35 Fine Distinction 40 Never-Ending Construction .. 40 Chapter 3 Personality Style and Communications45 Caveats 45 The Myers-Briggs Temperament.. 46 The Birkman Model49 Color Code.50 Multiple Intelligences .51 Enneagram 53 Herrmann Brain Dominance56 Organizational Engineering57 Many Models59 Chapter 4 Applying Active and Effective Listening .63 Project Management Information System (PMIS) Contributions63 Active and Effective Listening63 Two Important Reasons64 Why Few People Listen Effectively 64 Four Steps for Effective and Active Listening.65 Hear..65 Clarify 66 Interpret 67 Respond 67 The Most Important Skill ..68 Chapter 5 Preparing the Communications Management Plan and Establishing an Issues Management Process ..71 Contributions of the Project Management Information System (PMIS) 71 Communications Management Plan72 Characteristics 72 Challenges .73 Making the CMP a Reality..75 CMP Implementation Suggestions 78 Issues Management Process ..79 Issues Management Challenges. 80 Significant Contributor.. 80 Chapter 6 Drafting and Publishing Documentation ..83 Contributions of the Project Management Information System (PMIS) 83 Why Writing Matter83 Too Little Importance84 Project Manager as Writer ..85 Documentation Phases .86 Draft.86 Defining Readers88 Determining Goals88 Conducting Research ..88 Preparing an Outline.. 90 Creating the Document 90 Conducting the Review..95 Revising the Manuscript .96 Receiving Approval or Disapproval96 Publishing or Distributing the Document.96 Maintaining and Updating Documents .97 Different Types of Supporting Material 97 Common Types of Documentation 98 The Project Manual 103 The Right Amount..104 Chapter 7 Conducting Meetings.. 109 PMIS Contributions 109 Reasons for Meetings 109 Reasons for Meeting Failure 110 Indicators of Poor Meetings 110 Key Steps for Successful Meetings .111 Planning the Meeting111 Conducting the Meeting.. 113 Follow up on Results.. 115 Holding Effective Virtual Meetings 115 Passing through the Impasse. 116 Dealing with Bad Eggs .. 119 Rules for Meetings.. 121 Worst and Best of Times. 121 Chapter 8 Giving Effective Presentations125 PMIS Contributions ..125 Many Opportunities to Present 125 Loss of Effectiveness 126 Types of Presentations.. 127 Characteristics of an Effective Presentation..127 Preparation 130 Rehearsal137 Delivery140 Post Delivery..151 Summary152 Chapter 9 Developing and Deploying a Web Site167 PMIS Contributions. 167 Three Main Advantages 167 Two Main Challenges.. 168 Important Guidelines 168 Sharing and Visibility 173 Chapter 10 Building War Rooms. 175 PMIS Contributions.. 175 Many Pluses.. 175 Key Steps 176 Challenges 180 Valuable Asset 181 Chapter 11 The Key to Effective Leadership.. 185 PMIS Requires Good Data 185 PM Disciplines Not Enough 186 Leadetship ..186 References189 Books.. 189 Articles 192 Glossary199 Index 209