Introduction

Effective communication is the lifeblood of successful projects. It bridges the gap between project goals, team members, stakeholders, and clients, ensuring everyone is on the same page. This Communication Planning for Project Success Training Course provides you with the essential frameworks to build robust communication strategies that prevent misunderstandings and drive project outcomes. By mastering the art of clear, timely, and effective information exchange, you will transform how your projects function, fostering trust and collaboration among all involved.

This comprehensive 10-day program is meticulously designed to equip you with the skills to identify key stakeholders, define their information needs, and establish the right communication channels. You will learn to craft compelling reports, facilitate productive meetings, and navigate difficult conversations with confidence. Ultimately, this course will empower you to create a proactive communication environment, significantly reducing risks and increasing the probability of project success.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Project managers and coordinators
• Scrum masters and product owners
• Team leaders and supervisors
• Business analysts
• Project stakeholders
• Anyone involved in planning or executing projects
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Client-facing professionals
• Technical specialists
• Consultants and external vendors

Objectives

• Identify and analyze project stakeholders.
• Develop a comprehensive communication plan.
• Choose appropriate communication methods and technologies.
• Conduct effective project meetings.
• Manage stakeholder expectations proactively.
• Create and deliver clear project reports.
• Resolve communication-related conflicts.
• Understand the role of emotional intelligence in communication.
• Adapt communication styles for diverse audiences.
• Measure the effectiveness of your communication efforts.

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Project Communication

• The importance of communication in project success.
• Key concepts and terminology.
• The communication process model.
• The role of a project manager as a communicator.
• Proactive versus reactive communication.

Module 2: Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

• Identifying all project stakeholders.
• Mapping stakeholder needs and expectations.
• Power, interest, and influence grids.
• Understanding stakeholder communication requirements.
• Developing a stakeholder register.

Module 3: Communication Plan Development

• Components of a communication plan.
• Defining information to be communicated.
• Setting the frequency of communication.
• Assigning responsibilities for communication.
• Securing plan approval.

Module 4: Selecting Communication Channels

• Formal versus informal communication.
• Push, pull, and interactive communication.
• Choosing the right medium for the message.
• The role of digital tools and platforms.
• Avoiding communication overload.

Module 5: Effective Project Meetings

• Planning and preparing for meetings.
• Developing a clear agenda.
• Facilitating productive discussions.
• Documenting decisions and action items.
• Post-meeting follow-up.

Module 6: Reporting and Documentation

• Creating compelling status reports.
• Using dashboards and visuals.
• Ensuring information is accurate and timely.
• Maintaining a centralized project repository.
• The importance of version control.

Module 7: Managing Stakeholder Expectations

• Techniques for building trust and rapport.
• The importance of transparency.
• Handling difficult conversations and objections.
• Nurturing long-term relationships.
• Managing expectations through consistent communication.

Module 8: Conflict Resolution

• Identifying the root causes of conflict.
• Mediation techniques for project teams.
• The role of communication in conflict prevention.
• Using a blame-free approach.
• Following up to ensure resolution.

Module 9: Communication in Agile Environments

• The role of communication in scrum and kanban.
• The daily stand-up meeting.
• The importance of regular demos and retrospectives.
• Using agile tools for communication.
• Ensuring transparency on burndown charts.

Module 10: Communicating with Virtual Teams

• Best practices for remote communication.
• The importance of video conferencing.
• Overcoming geographic and time zone differences.
• Using instant messaging and collaboration tools.
• Building a sense of community from afar.

Module 11: Crisis Communication

• Developing a crisis communication plan.
• Identifying and addressing crisis situations.
• Crafting clear and empathetic messages.
• The role of leadership in a crisis.
• Communicating with the public and media.

Module 12: Understanding Communication Barriers

• Common barriers to effective communication.
• Cultural and linguistic differences.
• Perceptional biases.
• The impact of noise and distractions.
• Strategies for overcoming each barrier.

Module 13: Improving Listening Skills

• The difference between hearing and listening.
• Active listening techniques.
• Identifying non-verbal cues.
• Providing constructive feedback.
• The importance of empathy.

Module 14: Storytelling for Project Success

• The power of a project narrative.
• Structuring your message for maximum impact.
• Using analogies and examples.
• Communicating vision and purpose.
• Tailoring your story to the audience.

Module 15: Public Speaking and Presentations

• Planning and structuring a presentation.
• Overcoming public speaking phobia.
• Using visuals effectively.
• Engaging your audience.
• Handling questions and objections.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.