ABSTRACT
“Communication” is a broad term that, loosely described, includes acquiring and transmitting different types of information. It is perhaps the most critical project management (PM) tool. A good technical project manager who knows how to estimate, plan, schedule, and execute a construction contract may fail, unless he or she also has good communication skills. Unless the project manager can communicate his or her needs, wants, and expectations, they likely may be unfulfilled. Any study of construction leadership shows communication skills as one of the strongest traits of both office and field construction leaders. Several formats and techniques have been developed to expedite the flow of information among members of the project team. There are many construction communication tools, including contracts, schedules, logs, and start-up documents. This chapter highlights case study examples of both good and bad uses of communications by contractors, designers, and project owners.
