The key to success in any project is effective communications both within and outside the organization. Throughout the course of the project, full and clear communication is necessary to ensure that all stakeholders and involved parties understand any topic that impacts the customer’s success. These issues may involve positive and negative changes, problems, delays, questions, requests, and general status. The more complex the project is - especially from an organizational standpoint - the more important the communication becomes. Because of this, the method(s) used for the reliable delivery of communication must be carefully planned and managed (e.g., presentations, web site, newsletters, email).

Communications are most effective when they create a dialogue between the messenger (e.g., project manager, administrator) and the audience (e.g., stakeholders, agency executives). A Communications Plan should identify the appropriate messenger and match the messenger with the right audience and communication vehicle.  
 

The Project Communications Plan should also address who receives what information, how, and when. This is an essential element as it establishes and sets the expectations for what documents and work products the executives, stakeholders and other interested parties can expect to receive and when they can expect to receive them.  The goals in communicating about project status are three-fold: