Crowe Communications

Question 1

Communications Management

Answer 1

Knowledge area includes 5 processes that work together to determine what to communicate, how, how often, and who will receive it. It has been estimated that an effective project manager spends about 90% of his or her time communicating.

Processes:

1. Identify Stakeholders (Initiating)
2. Plan Communications (Planning)
3. Distribute Information (Executing)
4. Manage Stakeholder Expectations (Executing)
5. Report Performance (Monitoring & Controlling)

Question 2

Identify Stakeholders

Answer 2

This initiating process within communications management identifies the stakeholders for the project and results in a strategy for managing their communication expectations.

Key Inputs
• (none)

Key Tools
• Stakeholder Analysis

Key Outputs
• Stakeholder Register
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategy

Question 3

Plan Communications

Answer 3

This planning process of communications management creates one significant output: the Communications Management Plan

Key Inputs
• (none)

Key Tools
• Communication Requirements Analysis
• Communication Models

Key Outputs
• Communications Management Plan

Question 4

Distribute Information

Answer 4

Executing process of communications management where the team carries out the tasks described in the communications management plan.

Key Inputs
• (none)

Key Tools
• (none)

Key Outputs
• (none)

No key inputs, tools or outputs for this process. Focus on the fact that this is an executing process and why it is performed.

Question 5

Manage Stakeholder Expectations

Answer 5

Another executing process of communications management that ensures that stakeholder concerns are identified and resolved in a proactive, timely manner.

Key Inputs
•Stakeholder Management Strategy

Key Tools
• Interpersonal Skills

Key Outputs
• (none)

Question 6

Report Performance

Answer 6

This monitoring and controlling process of communications management reports to stakeholders how the project is performing as compared to the plan.

Key Inputs
• Work Performance Information

Key Tools
• (none)

Key Outputs
• Performance Reports

Question 7

Stakeholder Analysis

Answer 7

A tool used to analyze the relative interest and influence of project stakeholders. The goal of this tool is to determine who should receive what information, how to format the data, and how often it should be reported.

This tool is used in the Identify Stakeholders process.

Question 8

Stakeholder Register

Answer 8

major output of Identify Stakeholders; document listing all project stakeholders and a description of roles, interests, and influence on the project. Key stakeholders are identified in this list.

Question 9

Stakeholder Management Strategy

Answer 9

the groups and individuals listed in the stakeholder register can have positive or negative impacts on the project. This output describes the project manager’s planned approach to managing stakeholders.

this information may be reserved for the exclusive use of the project manager.

Question 10

Communication Requirements Analysis

Answer 10

Tool or technique used to identify which stakeholders should receive project communications, what communications they should receive, how often, and in what format.

This tool is used in the Plan Communications process.

Question 11

Communication Channels

Answer 11

Related to the tool of Communication Requirements Analysis.

Indicates the number of paths of communication that the project manager must manage.

Channels = n(n-1) ÷ 2
Where “n” includes the project manager and others on the project.

Question 12

Communication Methods

Answer 12

Knowledge area that includes 4 basic methods:
Formal, Informal, Written, Verbal

Informal Written
• Email
• Memorandums

Formal Written
• Contracts
• Legal notices
• Signed charter

Informal Verbal
• Routine meetings
• Conversations
• Phone calls

Formal Verbal
• Speeches
• Presentations
• Testimony

Question 13

Communications Management Plan

Answer 13

The key output of the Plan Communications process and component of the project management plan.

Defines the following:
• Who should receive project communications
• What they should receive
• Who should send communications
• How communications will be sent
• How often communications will be sent
• Definitions of project terms
•
•

Question 14

Interpersonal Skills

Answer 14

Tool representing soft skills to people, building trust, fostering teamwork, delivering messages clearly and effectively.

This tool is used in the following processes:
• Manage Stakeholder Expectations
• Develop Project Team
• Manage Project Team

Question 15

Work Performance Measurements

Answer 15

Input used in the Report Performance process to compare results with the plan and report performance back to stakeholders. These work performance measurements include CV, SV, CPI, and SPI.

This is an output of the Control Scope, Control Schedule, and Control Costs processes.

Question 16

Performance Reports

Answer 16

Logical output of the Report Performance process. These reports indicate how the project results are tracking against the plan or baselines. Format and content should be tailored to the audience.