Communication Strategies in Project Management

UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Presented by: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr .

12/2/2008

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Communication Principles

Appropriately adapt your message to others Listen and respond thoughtfully to others

12/2/2008

Be aware of your communication

Effectively use and interpret nonverbal messages

Effectively use and interpret verbal messages

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Understanding Group and Team Communication  Groups and Teams Defined  Types of Groups and Teams  Group and Team Dynamics  Group and Team Phases of Development

 Diversity in Groups and Teams: Adapting to

Differences 12/2/2008

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Groups and Teams Defined  Communicating In Small Groups   

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consists of a small number of people common purpose sense of belonging members exert influence on others in the group

 Small group communication is the transactive

process of creating meaning among 3 to 15 people who share a common purpose, who feel a sense of belonging, and who exert influence on each other.

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Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Groups and Teams Defined ď Ž Communicating In Teams ď Ž

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A team is a coordinated group of people organized to work together to achieve a specific, common goal.

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Groups and Teams Defined  Distinctions Between Groups and Teams 

Teams develop clearly defined responsibilities for team members.

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Teams have clearly defined rules for team operation.

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Teams develop clear goals.

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Teams develop a Author: wayDr. Tomas of coordinating their efforts.

Ucol-Ganiron Jr

12/2/2008

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Characteristics of Effective Team Members  Experience  Problem-Solving

Ability  Openness  Supportiveness  Action Oriented  Positive Personal Style Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

12/2/2008

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Understanding Types of Groups and Teams  Primary Groups  exist to fulfill the basic human need of associating with others  Study Groups  meet to learn new ideas  Therapy Groups  exist to provide treatment for the personal problems that group members may have 12/2/2008

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Understanding Types of Groups and Teams  Problem Solving Groups  exist to resolve an issue or overcome an unsatisfactory situation or obstacle to achieve a goal  Focus Groups  small groups of people who are asked to discuss a particular topic or issue  Social Groups  exist just for the joy of socializing with others 12/2/2008

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication

Understanding Group and Team Dynamics  Roles 

consistent ways you communicate with others in a group

 Types of Roles  

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task social individual Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication

Understanding Group and Team Dynamics  Rules 

team ground rules

 Norms 

standards that determine what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior in a group

 Status  12/2/2008

an individual’s importance and prestige

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication

Understanding Group and Team Dynamics  Power  the ability to influence others’ behavior  Types of Power      12/2/2008

legitimate (respect for position) referent (based on attraction) expert (influence from a person’s knowledge) reward (ability to satisfy needs) coercive (sanctions and punishment) Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication

Understanding Group and Team Dynamics

ď Ž Cohesiveness ď Ž

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degree of attraction that members of a group feel toward one another and the group

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication

Understanding Group and Team Dynamics

Cohesive Groups Emphasize “we” rather than “I” Reinforce good attendance Establish group traditions Set clear goals Encourage participation Celebrate accomplishing goals Stress teamwork and collaboration 12/2/2008

Uncohesive Groups Emphasize individual contributions Less emphasis on attendance Less effort to develop traditions Avoid setting goals Limit participation Discourage group celebration Stress individual accomplishment Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Chapter 9: Understanding Group and Team Communication

Understanding Group and Team Dynamics  Communication Interaction Patterns 

a pattern of communication that identifies the frequency of who talks to whom

 Networks of Communication   

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all-channel chain wheel

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Understanding Group and Team Dynamics ď Ž All-Channel Network ď Ž

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everyone talks to everyone else

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Understanding Group and Team Dynamics ď Ž Chain Network ď Ž

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people convey a message through one person at a time

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Understanding Group and Team Dynamics ď Ž Wheel Network ď Ž

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one person receives most of the messages

Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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Understanding Group and Team Phases of Development  Orientation 

primary tension

 Conflict 

secondary tension

 Emergence 

conflict is reduced

 Reinforcement  12/2/2008

group develops a sense of “we” Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

 Process Nature of Group Phases

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Understanding Diversity in Groups and Teams  Differences in Working Collectively or

Individually 

individualism and collectivism

 Differences in the Use of Time 

monochronic/polychronic

 Differences in the Use of Personal Space  12/2/2008

high-contact/low-contact Author: Dr. Tomas Ucol-Ganiron Jr

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