Introduction
It has always surprised us that the subject of Communications seems to have received the least specific attention in most of the authoritative pronouncements on the practice of project management.[1] At the same time, the related subject of Information Management is hardly mentioned at all. We find it surprising because if you think about it, if you want to produce something unusual it is a good idea to make it a "project".
However, to do so you need a plan, and this plan will likely call for materials, tools, equipment, and people to do the work — as well as communicating, administration and record keeping. But then nothing will happen unless those people are told what to do. And for that matter, ideally, all the other people[2] impacted should also be told what to expect.
Consequently, communication is a foundational activity in all that goes on in a project. And clear, cryptic and accurate communication is essential if mistakes at the expense of the project's time, cost and successful outcome are to be avoided.
Hence the need for a relevant Glossary of Terms that provides that common understanding for those people working on a given project.
1. Communications is the shortest section in the Project Management Institute's PMBOK® documents, as compared to all the other specialty subjects. However, communication is woven throughout all the topics.
2. I.e. The "stakeholders".
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