EPM5700 Project Communication Management Software Report

This report, focused on 'Communication Management in Industry,' examines the crucial role of effective communication in project success. It details the communication management process, emphasizing the importance of informing stakeholders and resolving conflicts. The report explores various software solutions, including RingCentral, Skype, 8x8 Solutions, and WhatsApp, providing an overview of their features and functionalities. It then narrows its focus to RingCentral, Skype, and 8x8 Solutions for a critical review, evaluating them based on criteria like traditional and agile project management features, cost, and support services. The evaluation employs methods such as weighted scoring, pros vs. cons analysis, and cost-benefit analysis, ultimately selecting the weighted scoring method. The report includes an evaluation matrix to compare the software, discussing the results, potential problems, and providing recommendations. The report concludes by highlighting how information systems support communication management processes, ensuring stakeholders are informed and conflicts are minimized, thus contributing to project success.

EPM5700 Project Management and
Information Technology
Project Communication
Management in Industry

Page 2 of 27
Executive Summary
The report will focus on the topic ‘Communication Management in industry’. Communication
management process is set of steps that are adopted by every project manager for every
project in the organisation. The communications management software helps to assure that
the project stakeholders are getting informed. Communication management thus assures
project’s success. Different organisations operate automated software tools. The report
explains about the following software - RingCentral, Skype, 8x8 Solutions and WhatsApp. In
the end, the usage of best software has been defined.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................2
Aim.................................................................................................................................. 4
Introduction...................................................................................................................... 4
Significance of this Investigation......................................................................................5
Benefits of supporting Communication Process Management....................................................5
Available Software...........................................................................................................6
RingCentral................................................................................................................................. 7
8x8 Solutions.............................................................................................................................. 8
Ganttic........................................................................................................................................ 9
Skype........................................................................................................................................ 10
WhatsApp................................................................................................................................. 11
Selected Software for Evaluation...................................................................................12
Skype........................................................................................................................................ 12
8x8 Solutions............................................................................................................................ 12
RingCentral............................................................................................................................... 12
Critical Review............................................................................................................... 13
Skype........................................................................................................................................ 13
8x8 Solutions............................................................................................................................ 14
RingCentral............................................................................................................................... 14
Criteria for Evaluation....................................................................................................15
Evaluation Methods.................................................................................................................. 17
Pros vs. Cons Analysis.................................................................................................................17
Cost Benefit Analysis....................................................................................................................17
Weighted Scoring..........................................................................................................................18
Selected Method............................................................................................................................18
Weighting of each Criteria..............................................................................................18
Evaluation Matrix........................................................................................................... 19
Software Evaluation.......................................................................................................22
Discussion.....................................................................................................................23
Results...................................................................................................................................... 23
Problems and Pitfalls................................................................................................................ 23
Recommendations.........................................................................................................24
References.................................................................................................................... 25

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Aim
The report will mainly explain how the information systems support the Communication
Management processes.
Introduction
Communication management process involves the steps so that the information can be
identified that needs to be communicated. The communication process steps will help to
determine the target audience for the communication. The communication management is
important for ensuring the success of the project. Effective communication helps to resolve
any conflicts within the project. The software will help to prepare templates for project
communications.
The software has certain capabilities that can be used to manage the communication process
-Developing communication infrastructure

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The significance of this Investigation
The report elaborates the impact of the information system for the communication
management.
The enterprises with the help of the software can be able to communicate in an efficient
manner (Nicholas and Steyn 2017). The stakeholders will always stay informed about the
latest project updates. Effective communication can reduce the chance of conflicts as well.
The project manager will conduct research and will prepare a report that will provide the
significance of the software.
Benefits of supporting Communication Process Management
The software has several benefits to the organisation. They are-
i. Build templates for project communications
ii. Enhancing communication skills to resolve the conflicts (Mir and Pinnington 2014)
iii. Proposing proper plan so the gap between the supply and the demand can be bridged
iv. Proposing appropriate strategies so that the communication process can be enhanced
Available Software
The software that can be used to carry out the communication process of any enterprise are-
 RingCentral
 Skype
 8x8 Solutions

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RingCentral
RingCentral is the industry-leading software. RingCentral is the provider of the cloud unified
communications as well as the collaboration solutions. The software is delivered in the form of
Software as a Service (SaaS) system (Correa 2016). The software helps project stakeholders
to communicate with each other. The software also provides some important functionalities –
CRM integration.
Figure 1: RingCentral

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8x8 Solutions
8x8 Solutions deliver flexible, affordable and cloud-based communications. The employees
can communicate with each other through the integrated social network feature within the
software (Nicholas and Steyn 2017). The primary feature of the software is the
communication process management.
8x8 Solutions is known to provide VoIP solutions that will help them to serve the customers
anytime, anywhere.

Figure 2: 8x8 Solutions

Skype
Skype for Business facilitates effective collaboration among the professionals and the
stakeholders. Skype provides the facilities like the free online calls, affordable online calls,
messaging to the mobiles or the landlines.