Project Management: Theories for Communication Process and Critique of Methodologies

This article discusses the theories for communication process in project management and provides a critique of methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, and Prince2. It explores the strengths and weaknesses of each methodology and compares them. The article also emphasizes the importance of effective communication methods in project management.

PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Project 3...........................................................................................................................................3
i. Theories for communication process..................................................................................3
ii. Critique of methodologies..................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Project management define as a combination of different activities which is conducted so
that the goals and objectives will be accomplished within specific period of time duration. These
activities consist of planning, analysing, implementing, winding up as well as controlling the
work so that pre defined targets will be attained (Pinto, 2014). Last section of this report includes
communication process as well as different project methodologies so that positive outcome will
be produced.
Project 3
i. Theories for communication process.
Communication is termed as the interaction between two or more person on the common
topic. It is seen as the essential process which ensures that individuals are able to discuss their
related topic with the common medium. With reference to the present stated scenario, project
manager will be required to communicate with its team members regarding the project as well as
its associated activities. Effective incorporation of right communication method will allow
project manager to deliver overall information to each member. This will also result in
accomplishment of each project associated activity. Project manager of QAHE will make use of
two way communication process for deliver their own thoughts, ideas, feelings and opinions with
the respective team members. In order to enhance its effectiveness mathematical theory of
communication will going to be adopted by project manager (Richardson, 2014). The respective
theory was founded by Sir Claude E. Shannon. This theory clearly illustrates actual interaction
between sender as well as receiver. This theory clearly states that “noise” is determined as the
main factor which places influence on the overall communication process. It can be said that this
theory was initially developed for improvising technical communication but later on it was
implemented within different field of communication. All associated components of this theory
are discussed below in detailed manner. Implication of mathematical theory of communication
within London Campus is described as below: Sender: It is the initial stage at which project manager will start communicating with the
respected team member and stakeholder about the overall project of redevelopment and
refurbishment regarding the enhancement of space.

 Encoding: It is next step of communication theory in which symbols, gestures etc. are
used by project manager for the motive of converting their information logical message
(Takey and de Carvalho, 2015). With reference to present scenario, it can be said that
project manager of QAHE will emphasize on the core skills as well as thinking pattern
for the motive of placing better impact of whole information on the sender.
(Source: Communication Theory, 2016) Communication channel: This is determined as the medium through which information
is transferred to the receiver. With reference to case, project manager of QAHE will
effectively make us of written as well verbal medium for communicating required
information to them (Zulch, 2014). For transmitting verbal information mobile phone and
one to one conversation will going to be taken as the main medium. On the contrary, for
transmitting written communication text messages and email going to be adopted by
project manager to convey essential information to the stakeholders. At this, noise could
be seen as the main influential barrier in verbal form of communication that could change
information send to the receiver.
Illustration 1: Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication

 Decoding: At this stage, encoded message is converted into message which will further
received by receiver. Here, it is essential for the receiver to decode overall information in
the same form so that miscommunication kind of things does not takes place into it.
 Receiver: This stage is determined as the last one in which whole information is received
by the actual for which it has been developed. According to the given case scenario,
receiver of intended information are the stakeholders of QAHE. Here, all the associated
stakeholders will get information regarding the project and its all activities along with
their proposed time (Blumler, 2015).
On the basis of overall information obtained from the communication theory, it has been
identified that Noise is considered as the main influential factor that might place impact in
between two main stages that is encoding and decoding. This issue is mainly related to verbal
interaction where physical noise might affect signals of encoder and might transform its meaning
until it is received by the receiver. With reference to the present provided scenario, it can be said
that physical noise occurred during communication might make it difficult for stakeholders to
understand actual information or message presented by project manager. There are probable
chances that they might perceive the actual information in negative manner that might place
impact over completion of the project within the provided time frame. In order to overcome issue
associated with noise, project manager prefers to take feedback from stakeholder. This initiative
taken by project manager will help them out in determining that whether stakeholder are taking
information in the right sense or not. Along with management of QAHE can also clear out
doubts or misinterpretation that has been occurred due to noise or other kind barrier.
In addition to this, it has been further seen by making use of above mentioned
communication theory, it can be said that management of QAHE and its stakeholders can easily
communicate with one another and discuss their project that is of redevelopment and
refurbishment within London Campus. Incorporation of this framework will also allow them in
the accomplishment of this project within the provided time frame (Luterman, 2017).
ii. Critique of methodologies.
Methodology is referred to as the particular system of methods which is being used by in
project manager or operator while conducting specific activity or study. It includes range of
methods which are adopted by project managers for accomplishing their core projects in
appropriate manner. With reference to the present stated scenario, it can be said that

management team of QAHE is planning to redevelop and refurbish their London Campus. In
order to execute this in appropriate manner, its project manager have been asked to provide
explanation on the range of effective methods such as Agile, waterfall and Prince2 along with
their strength as well as weaknesses so that they can easily finalise the best method among all to
carry out whole project in rightful manner.
Agile methodology: The respective methodology is seen as the effective practice which
determined as the continuous based development with the usage of software development
lifestyle of the proposed project (Ngai, Tao and Moon, 2015). This methodology is consist of
different stages that collaboratively helps in continuing work of project with effectiveness. These
stages are define, develop, release and evaluate. With reference to the present stated scenario, it
has been management can incorporate this method in the project of redevelopment and
refurbishment within the London Campus of QAHE. Here, management will provide detailed
information to every associated people and further the same team will resolve its core issue on
the basis of the problem. Also, it provides guidance to each and every team member about their
respective job responsibilities. The respective method has two main strengths. The first one is it
enhances speed of project as each member is having knowledge about their respective work. This
also results in the reduction of wastage. The another strength of this method is it also provides
time to project manager for taking feedback from associated people. Alterations are also
provided on the same according to the requirements. On the other hand, while emphasizing on
the core weakness of this method is that it is a time consuming method as lots of interaction is
required for this.
Waterfall methodology: This respective method is basically considered as the traditional
method which divides overall project into smaller section that are interrelated with one another.
In this performance of each stage is depending upon the work executed on the previous stage. In
context of the project of QAHE, it can be said that project manager of the London Campus will
be required to execute work of each and every activity in appropriate manner so that it does not
hamper working activity of next. This is so because their performance is interrelated with one
another (Staunæs, 2016). The core strength of this methodology is that it makes work of QAHE
campus simpler as they are getting clear instruction. Also, incorporation of this process makes
completion of refurbishment process in the quicker manner. The main weakness of this
methodology is that it does not goes with the fluctuating situations.

PRINCE2 methodology: The respective method is seen as the process based method tat
is mainly used to manage overall project. The name of this methodology has been developed
with the acronym Projects IN Controlled Environments (Richardson, 2014). With reference to
the current given scenario, it can be said that there are total 7 stages in whole process of
PRINCE2 which will be incorporated while executing the project activity. These stages are start
of redevelopment and refurbishment of London Campus of QAHE, initiate the project, direct the
project, control stages, manage product delivery, manage stage boundary and closure of the
project. By performing work according to this process, there are probable chances that project
manager will be able to execute whole work within the provided time frame. The main benefit of
this project is that it allows project manager in monitoring each and every activity of the project
from starting till the end. On the contrary, the respective method is not at all suitable for smaller
projects
Comparison between Agile, Waterfall and Prince2 Methodology
Basis Agile Method Waterfall Method Prince2 Method
Scope There are probable
chances for alteration
whenever the scope is
available.
This method can work
more effectively
whenever scope is
provided for
accomplishing project.
Effective and clear
guidance directly
improves the output of
the project (Zulch,
2014).
Feature
prioritization
Here, issues can be
resolved on the basis of
priorities.
In this, priorities are not
provided to features that
affects outcome of
project.
In this methodology,
the main priority is
provided to main goals.
Feasibility It is feasible in nature as it
allows project manager to
take feedback and
improvise working for
improving overall
outcome.
Feasibility parameter of
this methodology is
quiet low as if any issue
identified in the project
then project manager
will have to start it from
Feasibility of this
methodology is also
high as it allows project
manager to make
changes according to
the requirements. But,

the starting point
(Blumler, 2015).
at the same time it
enhances budget of the
project too.
CONCLUSION
As per the above discussion it has been said that by evaluating various methodologies as
well as communication process, it has been identified that Agile method is best suitable for the
give case scenario of London Campus. Usage of Agile method will allow project manager in
completing all project associated task within the provided time frame.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Pinto, J. K., 2014. Project management, governance, and the normalization of
deviance. International Journal of Project Management, 32(3), pp.376-387.
Richardson, G. L., 2014. Project management theory and practice. Auerbach Publications.
Takey, S. M. and de Carvalho, M. M., 2015. Competency mapping in project management: An
action research study in an engineering company. International Journal of Project
Management, 33(4), pp.784-796.
Zulch, B., 2014. Leadership communication in project management. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences, 119, pp.172-181.
Blumler, J. G., 2015. Core theories of political communication: Foundational and freshly
minted. Communication Theory, 25(4), pp.426-438.
Luterman, D. M., 2017. Counseling persons with communication disorders and their families.
PRO-ED, Inc. 8700 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin, TX 78757-6897.
Ngai, E. W., Tao, S. S. and Moon, K. K., 2015. Social media research: Theories, constructs, and
conceptual frameworks. International Journal of Information Management, 35(1),
pp.33-44.
Staunæs, D., 2016. Notes on inventive methodologies and affirmative critiques of an affective
edu-future. Research in Education, 96(1), pp.62-70.