Based on the Stakeholder Analysis and Management Plan, students will create a formal communication plan. A project communications management plan describes in detail the types of communications that will take place in the project, and specifies forms to use for certain types of key project information that must be transferred among team members and to key stakeholders that have a vested interest in the project or an influence on the project. As the project manager, students will need to develop the policies and procedures for all means of communication across the project, taking into account the requirements for communicating with the sponsor, stakeholders, vendors, and project team. Produce a formal Communication Plan in accordance to Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) that includes a matrix to set a framework in place that allows team members and stakeholders to understand when, how, and what communications will occur. Package this document into a presentable format that could be issued to all team members, stakeholders and the sponsor once approved. Suggested package should contain 5-7 pages in APA format.

Information in the Communication Plan should include but not be limited to the following:

1. Matrix
a. Information to be communicated, including language, format, content, and level of details;
b. Time frame and frequency for the distribution of required information;
c. Person responsible for communicating the information;
d. Person or groups who will receive the information;
e. Methods or technologies used to convey the information, such as memos, e-mail, and/or press releases;
f. Resources allocated for communication activities
2. Escalation process identifying time frames and the management chain (names) for escalation of issues that cannot be resolved at a lower staff level;
3. Method for updating and refining the communications management plan as the project progresses and develops;
4. Communication constraints, usually derived from specific legislation or regulation, technology, and organizational policies, etc.
a. Policy for confidential or restricted information.
b. How do you define these and how should the team members handle such situations?
c. Policy for communication outside the project team, stakeholders, and sponsor group.

The highest scores on this assignment will be for a practical project communications management plan containing information specific to the projects requirements and deliverable(s), which name specific people and roles and address the practical communication requirements that exist for this project, demonstrating that you can produce a professional document.  Assignments should not contain generic material imported from somewhere else as this will not be appropriate for this situation and will lose points.

Eskerod, P., & Jepsen, A. L. (2013). Fundamentals of project management: Project stakeholder management. Surrey, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

Kliem, R. L. (2008). Effective communications for project management. Boca Raton : Auerbach Publications.

Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Project Management Institute (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: PMBOK Guide (6th ed.). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.