Manage Communications executes the communications plan: creating, distributing, storing, and retrieving project information so the right people get what they need. It is more than sending reports — it includes confirming messages are understood and adjusting when they aren’t.
The PM chooses methods and technology suited to each audience and message, and uses feedback to check that communication is actually landing. Effective communication here prevents the misunderstandings that quietly derail projects.
Common pitfalls. Pushing information without confirming it is received and understood; over-reporting that buries the signal in noise; one channel for every audience; and neglecting to store and make information retrievable.
Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs
Inputs
- Project management plan
- Project documents
- Work performance reports
- Enterprise environmental factors
- Organizational process assets
Tools & Techniques
- Communication technology
- Communication methods
- Communication skills
- Project management information system
- Project reporting
- Interpersonal and team skills
- Meetings
Outputs
- Project communications
- Project management plan updates
- Project documents updates
- Organizational process assets updates
How This Process Connects
Every process hands artifacts to other processes. Follow the flow of this one:
Where its inputs come from
- Monitor and Control Project Workproduces: Work performance reports
- Develop Project Management Planproduces: Project management plan
More in Project Communications Management
In the Domains & Principles View
The PMBOK® Guide frames this work through performance domains and principles:
In the Eighth Edition
This process describes the framework as set out in the Sixth and Seventh Editions. The Eighth Edition reorganized it into 6 principles, 7 performance domains and 40 processes.