In every organizations, project communication plays an important role.

According to some research, project communication takes up 90% of the time.
Thus communication is one of the key component of any projects.

Communication Type
1. Face To Face – Visual
The most ideal way of communication by far, is to have a face to face meeting. You are able to see his body language. Not many people can hide their unconscious communication expression, such as body language.
A single eye movement will display whether the team member is paying attention to your message.
Facial expression can also tell whether the recipient is receptive or building an invisible mental wall to block your message.

2. Phone – Verbal
If face to face is not possible, then at the very least, pick up the phone and speak with the team member.
Since there is no visual, at least you have the audio mode of communication.
The advantage of verbal communication is that, you are able to listen team member’s mood.
You will know whether is the other party angry or not happy with the arrangement.
You are then able to understand his/her issues.
This will indirectly foster a better working relationship with the team.

3. Email
In my opinion, email is not the best communicating method.
It has always been the least priority in my communication.

However, email is also the fastest and direct to the recipient.
Most of the times, team members will crafted an email, send it across and then expect the recipient to reciprocate or revert.
However, in such a busy environment, this assumption is dangerous.
Recipient may overlooked or misplaced your message.
It is a good practice to follow up with a call after you had sent a mail.

Why email is not the ideal method
If the sender is writing a simple message to the recipient.
You never know how the other party deciphers the message.
Who knows the recipient just had a scolding from his/ her boss.
A simple greetings from you may backfire.
Thus email communication should be avoided.

On the contrary, email writing can sometimes provide an evidence in your verbal conversation. You can concrete your discussion by following up with your email.

Effective Communication prevents lots of unnecessary confusion.
1. Sets certain level of expectation
2. Provides direction what to provide, who to deliver, when to complete

Do weigh your communication type or method and do not allow communication cripple your project management. So are you communicating enough and what are your preferred methods ?