7 - Project Communications Management Terminology

Question 1

Communication Blockers

Answer 1

Factors that disrupt the message.

Question 2

Communication Constraints

Answer 2

Limitations imposed by legislation, regulation, technology, or policy on message content, timing, audience, or delivery vehicle (person or mechanism).

Question 3

Communication Methods

Answer 3

Procedures, techniques, and processes that are employed to disseminate information to project stakeholders.

Question 4

Communication Model

Answer 4

A facsimile that demonstrates the manner in which project communications will be performed.

Question 5

Communication Requirements Analysis

Answer 5

An approach to the determination of stakeholder communication requirements, which can include interviews, lessons learned, and analysis of previous projects.

Question 6

Communication Styles Assessment

Answer 6

A technique utilized to identify the approach, format, and content preferred by each stakeholder for planned communication activities.

Question 7

Communication Technology

Answer 7

The tools, systems, and computer applications utilized in the dissemination of information to project stakeholders

Question 8

Communications Infrastructure

Answer 8

Tools and techniques used to create the foundation for information transfer on a project

Question 9

Communications Management Plan

Answer 9

The document, part of the project or program management plan, that addresses the communication flow of the project and contains a detailed description of the transmittal process, the transmittal schedule, and the administration process.

Question 10

Control

Answer 10

The process of contrasting actual performance to planned performance, assessing the resulting variances, and determining the actions that will improve performance levels.

Question 11

Distribute Information

Answer 11

Deliver needed project information to stakeholders in an appropriate timeframe.

Question 12

Exception Report

Answer 12

A report that includes significant variations from the planned activities.

Question 13

Forecast

Answer 13

The estimation of a future state of a project based on the performance levels of the organization or a previous project; typically includes measurements associated with estimate at completion (EAC) or estimate to complete (ETC).

Question 14

Information Gathering Techniques

Answer 14

Processes used to obtain and organize data from a variety of sources.

Question 15

Kickoff Meeting

Answer 15

A meeting used to initiate the start of the project; typically attended by all the key stakeholders; can be done when initiating or planning is complete depending upon the organization.

Question 16

Log

Answer 16

Documentation of selected items that occur during a project, typically modified to reflect the condition of the item (issue, quality control item, action, or defect).

Question 17

Manage Communications

Answer 17

The gathering of meaningful project data to create communications that will be disseminated, placed in a repository for future access, and disposed of per the communications management plan.

Question 18

Manage Stakeholder Expectations

Answer 18

The process of communicating with the stakeholders to determine their expectations and addressing issues in a timely manner.

Question 19

Monitor Communications

Answer 19

The process of fulfilling the informational needs of the project and its stakeholders.

Question 20

Performance Reporting

Answer 20

The collection and interpretation of performance data; can include status, progress, and forecast reports.

Question 21

Plan
Communications Management

Answer 21

The process of identifying and evaluating stakeholder information and requirements for the purpose of developing a suitable project communications approach.

Question 22

Progress Report

Answer 22

A report that states what has been accomplished in a specific amount of time on the project (but not the entire project).

Question 23

Project
Communications Management

Answer 23

The processes required to gather, produce, allocate, deposit, retrieve, administer, regulate, track, and ultimately dispose of project information so that the appropriate parties receive the appropriate information at the appropriate time.

Question 24

Project Forecasting

Answer 24

A reporting method in which future performance is estimated based on past performance of the project.

Question 25

Report Performance

Answer 25

The process of amassing project performance data and disseminating it in a clear and meaningful format to the intended audience.

Question 26

Reporting Systems

Answer 26

Processes and procedures utilized to generate or consolidate reports from information management systems and distribute those reports to project stakeholders.

Question 27

Status Report

Answer 27

A report that states the current shape or state of the project to date.

Question 28

Threshold

Answer 28

Any value (typically applied to cost, schedule, quality, technical, or resource) that is used as a parameter; typically crossing the threshold results in a triggered action.

Question 29

Trend Analysis

Answer 29

An analytical technique that uses mathematical paradigms to predict future outcomes based on historical data.

Question 30

Variance

Answer 30

Any difference between a planned value or baseline and an actual result.

Question 31

Variance Analysis

Answer 31

The assessment of the level and reasons for a variance from planned value or baseline.

Question 32

Work Performance Reports

Answer 32

Project status and performance data utilized to produce communications and advance discussion.