Effective communication is a crucial element in the success of portfolio management. As a Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), it is essential to develop an aggregate communication strategy and plan, outlining the methods, recipients, vehicles, timelines, and frequencies to ensure effective communication across all stakeholders.
II. Understanding Aggregate Communication Strategy and Plan
An “aggregate communication strategy” is a comprehensive plan that includes various methods and tools for communicating with stakeholders. It also specifies the timeline and frequency of communication, and the designated recipients for different types of information. The strategy’s goal is to create efficient and open channels of communication to prevent misunderstandings and facilitate quick decision-making.
III. Steps to Create Aggregate Communication Strategy and Plan
- Identify your stakeholders: The stakeholders can vary depending upon the portfolio’s nature. They can be project team members, business line managers, executives, or clientele. Stakeholder identification should be based on their interest and involvement in the portfolio’s specific elements.
- Define Communication Objectives: What’s the purpose of the communication? The objectives may differ based on the information or message set to be transmitted.
- Choose Communication Methods: Methods can range from emails, newsletters, reports, webinars, or face-to-face meetings. The method should be convenient for the recipient and best suited for the message’s content.
- Define the Message: The content of the communication should be clear, concise, and accessible to the recipients, free from jargon, and include necessary details only.
- Decide on the Vehicle: The vehicle refers to the mode of delivery of the message. It could be digital platforms for emails, webinars, or printed materials for reports.
- Determine Timelines and Frequencies: It is crucial to decide how often to communicate with the stakeholders. The timeline can be daily, weekly, or monthly based on the urgency and significance of the information.
IV. Examples of Aggregate Communication Strategy and Plan
Let’s consider a Portfolio Management Professional is managing a portfolio of IT projects that affect several company departments. In this case, the communication plan may look like this:
Stakeholder | Objective | Method | Vehicle | Frequency | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Project Teams | Monitor project progress | Project status reports | Intranet portal | Weekly | Every Monday morning |
CIO | Update on portfolio performance | High-level dashboard | Monthly | First week of the month | |
Affected Departments | Updates on changes that may affect their operations | Newsletter | Newsletter | Quarterly | Last week of the quarter |
In this example, the PfMP in charge aligns the communication methods, channels and timelines with the recipients’ needs and expectations.
V. Conclusion
Creating an effective aggregate communication strategy ensures everyone involved in the portfolio is on the same page and facilitates quicker decision-making. A well-defined communication plan contributes to the overall success of portfolio management, reducing the chance of misunderstandings and fostering a transparent and collaborative environment.
Being a successful Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) largely depends on how effectively you can communicate critical information to all relevant stakeholders. Creating a comprehensive and efficient communication strategy is an invaluable skill to grasp for every PfMP aspirant.
Practice Test
True or False: The aggregate communication strategy involves parents, siblings, and relatives as primary recipients.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary recipients in the aggregate communication strategy are the stakeholders involved in the project, not personal relations.
What should an aggregate communication strategy include?
- A. Communication methods
- B. Primary recipients
- C. Communication vehicles
- D. Timelines and frequencies
- E. All of the above
Answer: E. All of the above
Explanation: A comprehensive aggregate communication strategy includes methods, recipients, vehicles, timelines, and frequencies to enable effective communication to stakeholders.
Communication vehicles in a project communication plan refer to
- A. The type of cars used in the project
- B. Modes of message transmission
- C. The project timeline
- D. The project budget
Answer: B. Modes of message transmission
Explanation: Communication vehicles refer to the different channels or methods used in conveying the message to the stakeholders.
True or False: A project communication plan should not include regular update reports to stakeholders.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Regular updates to stakeholders are essential to keep them informed about the progress and any changes made in the project.
Which of the following is NOT a method of project communication?
- A. Email
- B. In-person meetings
- C. Postal mail
- D. Eating together
Answer: D. Eating together
Explanation: While eating together can foster relations in a project, it is not a formal channel of project communication.
True or False: Effective communication can potentially reduce the risk of project fails?
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Effective communication ensures all stakeholders are on the same page and it can help manage risks, deal with issues promptly, and enhance the project’s chance of success.
Which of the following is NOT a potential recipient in the aggregate communications plan?
- A. Project team members
- B. Clients or sponsors
- C. Vendors or partners
- D. Family members
Answer: D. Family members
Explanation: An aggregate communication plan targets stakeholders or entities involved in the project in a professional capacity, not personal relations like family members.
How often should the aggregate communication plan be reviewed and revised?
- A. Once a year
- B. Once a quarter
- C. As per project needs
- D. Never
Answer: C. As per project needs
Explanation: It is important to regularly review and revise communication plans as per the demands of the project rather than sticking to a pre-determined schedule.
True or False: The aggregate communication plan helps in managing stakeholder expectations.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: A well-crafted communication plan helps manage stakeholder expectations by regularly providing them with information and updates, thereby avoiding misunderstandings and disputes.
Single select: Who is responsible for developing the aggregate communication plan?
- A. The project manager
- B. Chief executive officer
- C. The administrative assistant
- D. The client or sponsor
Answer: A. The project manager
Explanation: The project manager, with input from the project team, usually takes the lead in developing the aggregate communication plan.
Interview Questions
What is an aggregate communication strategy in portfolio management?
An aggregate communication strategy in portfolio management is a comprehensive plan that outlines how a portfolio’s status updates, critical issues, and overall progress are communicated to its stakeholders.
What factors need to be considered while creating an aggregate communication strategy?
While creating an aggregate communication strategy, one should consider the recipients of the communication, the methods of communication, the vehicle of communication, timelines, and the frequency of communication. Their needs, expectations, and influence on the project also need to be considered.
Which stakeholders are typically recipients of communication in portfolio management?
Stakeholders who are typically recipients of communication in portfolio management include the portfolio manager, the project teams, sponsors, customer representatives, and other internal and external stakeholders.
What is the role of vehicles in an aggregate communication strategy?
The term ‘vehicles’ in an aggregate communication strategy refers to the channels or means through which communication is carried out. These can include emails, meetings, reports, dashboards, and other communication mediums.
Why is it important to establish timelines in a communication strategy?
Establishing timelines ensures there is regular and timely information flow among stakeholders. It aids in timely decision-making and reduces the chances of misinformation or miscommunication.
What does frequency in a communication plan mean?
Frequency refers to how often communication needs to occur. It can be daily, weekly, monthly or as needed, depending on the information’s nature and the stakeholders’ needs.
How does an effective communication strategy benefit portfolio management?
Effective communication strategy ensures all stakeholders are well-informed about the portfolio’s status, which aids in decision-making, increases transparency, and enhances stakeholder engagement.
How can the effectiveness of a communication plan be evaluated?
The effectiveness of a communication plan can be evaluated by checking whether the communication is reaching the intended recipients in a timely manner, the stakeholders’ feedback, and if the communication aids in decision-making.
How important is it to customize the communication plan based on the stakeholder’s needs in portfolio management?
It’s very important as different stakeholders have different needs and expectations. Customizing the communication ensures they receive information that’s relevant, timely, and in a format they prefer.
How can potential barriers to communication be addressed in the communication plan?
Barriers to communication can be addressed through thorough planning, understanding the stakeholder’s needs, ensuring clear and unambiguous communication, and providing opportunities for feedback. Flexibility in the plan can also assist in overcoming unexpected barriers.
What are some effective methods of communication in a portfolio management context?
Methods of communication in a portfolio management context can include face-to-face meetings, teleconferences, written reports, email updates, dashboards, and presentations.
How should confidential information be handled in a communication plan?
Confidential information should be handled carefully and securely. Only stakeholders who need to know should receive it, and it should be clearly marked as confidential. Proper data protection measures should be in place.
Why is it important to review and update the communication plan periodically?
It is crucial to review and update the communication plan periodically to accommodate any changes in the project, stakeholders, or environment, and to ensure that communication remains effective and relevant.
How does a well-structured communication plan contribute to risk management in portfolio management?
A well-structured communication plan helps in identifying and addressing risks in a timely manner, thereby preventing potential problems from escalating. It also ensures all stakeholders understand the risk management strategies in place.
What role does the portfolio manager play in the communication planning process?
The portfolio manager plays a critical role in the communication planning process. They oversee the development, execution, and review of the communication plan. This includes identifying stakeholders, determining their communication needs, and deciding on the means and frequency of communication.