This article contains 3 excellent points on project communication – something that I am learning to perfect everyday. I had a similar experience with students. We are now one month into the semester, and some of the students are still confused about what they actually have to do in my class. I created this elaborate 9 page syllabus outlining all the details, including a course calendar that clearly states when assignments are due. Yet, students are confused.
If it were just a few students, then it’s probably their lack of diligence. But for some reason, in this new school year, it came from many students. Is the problem me? I hate so say it – YES. With each passing year, time plays trick with teachers. I may now be a year older, but the students are roughly the same age. But clearly, my old communication style is not working.
I am going to revamp my syllabus and stick to these 3 points: 1. Focus on the main points which for most students is how to earn a good grade. 2. Set expectation and meet them. May be I should just say clearly DO “x” and you will receive “y”. 3. Be confident (not hard for me) but be yourself (that’s much harder since my mind is probably 15 years old while my body just moves in one direction). But I will give it shot for the sake of my students and my email box.
Te Wu’s comments on the article below by Chris Ward for CIO.
Communication is the most important skill we have as project managers. Keeping it simple is the most effective way to communicate. Three communication principles rule in today’s world of faster, more agile/lean projects.
Chris Ward for CIO writes: My son turns 20 this month. He’s part of the millennial generation, and I’m sure most of you have read multiple articles, blog posts, and journals about “what” this generation is doing and “why” they do it. I actually felt like I had a good handle on their motivations, focus, etc. and recently was getting ready to work with a group of new CAPM students who are preparing for the exam.
Don’t count on your ‘plain vanilla’ resume to get you noticed – your resume needs a personal flavor to
“What’s that, Mr. Ward?” asked one of my son’s friends, while I was in my recording studio at my home pulling together some slides to help my study group.
“It’s a meme from ‘Lord of the Rings’ that says, ‘One does not simply stop a project’,” I replied with a smug look on my face. Surely, he was going to compliment me on using a relevant pop culture reference in my presentation.
“I don’t get it.”
Stunned, I looked up from my screen. “What do you mean?”
“So are you saying you don’t want to stop a project?”
“No, I mean that you have to really think about reasons why you might stop a project. It’s vitally important to close out all projects, even the ones that have failed or aren’t able to be fixed.”
Shaking his head, he looked at me. “Then why don’t you just say that?” SNIP, the article continues @ CIO, click here to continue reading…..