Outcome 7 – Communication Management Plan 

Student will produce a formal communication plan, for their specific project, in accordance to PMBOK that includes a matrix to set a framework in place that allows team members and stakeholders to understand when and how communications will occur throughout the project with concentration on the project plan, risk management plan, change management plan and other major artifacts. The plan should be designed to accomplish the project goals throughout the project life cycle. Information in the communication plan should include but not be limited to the following:

1. Background summary of project and audience matrix: You will define:
   • An executive brief on the objectives and summary constraints of the project
   • Stakeholder analysis – a matrix defining the audiences or impacted stakeholders of the project, their specific characteristics and communication needs
2. Team communication plan: Prepare a complete communication plan for the project, including:
   • Stakeholder communication requirements;
   • Information to be communicated, including language, format, content, and level of details;
   • Reason for the distribution of that information;
   • Time frame and frequency for the distribution of required information;
   • Person responsible for communicating the information;
   • Person responsible for authorizing release of confidential information;
   • Person or groups who will receive the information;
   • Methods or technologies used to convey the information, such as memos, e-mail, and/or press releases;
   • Resources allocated for communication activities, including time and budget;
   • Escalation process identifying time frames and the management chain (names) for escalation of issues that cannot be resolved at a lower staff level;
   • Method for updating and refining the communications management plan as the project progresses and develops;
   • Glossary of common terminology;
   • Flow charts of the information flow in the project, workflows with possible sequence of authorization, list of reports, and meeting plans, etc.; and
   • Communication constraints, usually derived from specific legislation or regulation, technology, and organizational policies, etc.

Students may propose an alternative project of their own design that shows attainment of the corresponding course outcome. The mentor must approve the alternative project.