:AACE CERTIFICATION 2009-2010:

Another topic about communication - Thao’s blog #.2

The second week passed with little moves of AACE project. While reviewing the whole week activities I just link AACE project with the current real-life project that I am working in. And I can assure that both are having the same troubles right at the planning phase, where the communication management hasnot been managed proper enough.

So what is communication management is all about? Just taking the definition from Webster’s New World Dictionary, it defines very simple that ‘communication is the giving or exchanging of thoughts and information by speech, writing or behavior”. The definition itself is simple but when we break it down in details, it is not that simple to have it been on the right way. We are getting troubles to understand and get the simple theory practiced well in the real world. That’s why the AACE project is going quite slowly and so is my real life project. So where are the gaps making us to be failed in having a sound communication strategy. To answer that we have to answer the question “whether we exchange information enough?” Yes, with our team, I am sure we’re having information exchange but is it enough? Or many of us are still standing out side of the team discussion room, and close thoughts before questions and open troubles.

Further more, it is not enough if we do not mention about the writing communication in a process of information exchange. Besides, writing communication is not just emails or scrap writing information but should include the formal writing one from the top decision makers. Thinking about this, I take the troubles in my real-life project, when there's major changes in project structure and planning, and the communication channels is almost closed. Project team members feel uncertain for everything. They come around to ask for the project plan for the next phase. Installation team ask for material status, design team ask for site list and information, everyone is walking around and worry with a very tight project timeframe but no clear communication comes yet. Hence, a clear message from management is always a cure when changes occured.

In addition, we also should not forget the last word in communication definition is “behavior”. “Behavior” is really important in a real-life project. However, is a simulation project like our AACE project where people is working in a virtual team, every communication almost comes from writing formally and informally, behavior seems less powerful. We can understand "behavior" here is the way to communicate an issue. However, "behavior" should not be taken a light weight compared with other factors. If the writing behavior is not carefully considered it may affect the communication efficiency.

Oops, I am not going to take this long. I may continue this in coming bog: D. I have to catch the beauty sleep now … I will think about this throroughly while I have a relaxed time in Mui Ne this weekend.
Saigon, 17/10/09

P/S: The nice pix is a present from me to you all. Nice weekend :D