Jennifer Morris’ article is a great reminder of the importance of project management communication basics.
You should also watch this mini-lesson from pmStudent for quick communication tips!

There are always ways to improve project management and find new ways to stay ahead of the curve. These timeless tips will help you, whether you’re new to project management or have been in the field for years. Some of them were inspired by Brad Egeland from ProjectInsight.net. This is a refresher course for those who have been managing clients or projects for a while. If you are new to management, keep reading to learn some “new to me” ideas.
Communication is key
You must communicate clearly and confidently to be a successful project manager. Also, it is important to keep in touch with your team. Remember that you are the point person between the client and your company. You are also the representative of your company, the person the client will contact with any questions or concerns. This is something you should work on. If you have issues with communication,?Egeland suggests to use reminders on your project resource management calendar to follow up with project sponsors or clients. It is important to keep in touch with your team so you can share information about each stage of the client’s project with clients and during company meetings.
Keep your agenda straight and schedule meetings
Before meeting with your client or team, create a game plan that allows for unexpected changes but is flexible enough to ensure everyone is on the same page. You can do this by using a web-based project management system that you can modify to suit your project’s needs. Microsoft Outlook’s calendar application allows you to schedule biweekly or weekly meetings with your client and your creative team. You should ensure that your agenda is appropriate for the planning phase of each meeting, so you don’t skip ahead of a phase in your project’s development.
Start an internal kickoff meeting
A meeting that brings all elements of the project together. If you are able to ask the right questions and have a clear understanding of your client’s needs and who they are, this can be done easily. A team meeting is a great way for your team to discuss ideas and concepts, as well as budget their time. The kickoff meeting does not have to be a lengthy discussion. You don’t need to address every issue right then. Keep the meeting short and to-the-point. Although your client may have all the time in the world for glowing praises, time is money. You and your team must get to work.
These simple tips will help you succeed, no matter if your company has unlimited funds or a tight budget.
Jennifer Morris is a passionate follower of cloud solutions trends and database security improvements. She shares her tips and advice on several business-related websites.