Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches

Communication: What It Is

Put simply, communication is making yourself understood by others. Presentations, e-mail, meetings, one-on-one conversations, even lunch—these are all venues for communication. Making yourself understood implies clarity and consistency. Muddle the message with ambiguity or conflicting body language and you are not communicating but confusing. If your message is interpreted differently by each person on the team, your project will devolve into an expensive game of telephone.

Communication is also understanding the messages others are sending you. If you are not clear on what a coworker or client is telling you, ask for clarification. If you don't understand an e-mail, ask for clarification. Asking for an explanation is ...