PMP Certification: Monitor Communications (based on PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition)

— (updated )
  • WHAT Monitor Communications Is. Monitor Communications implies ensuring that the communications management plan is effective, by comparing the plan with the outcome of the Manage Communication process and, eventually, making the required adjustments.
  • WHY Monitor Communications Is Important. Since shortcomings in Communications Management Plan or Project Communications may develop and the communications needs of stakeholders may change during the project life cycle, getting the plan right and then executing it well prevents the communication issues responsible for project problems and failures.
  • WHEN Monitor Communications Is Executed. A project manager starts performing the Monitor Communications process as soon as the communications management plan is executed and continues performing it on a day-to-day basis as long as the project communications take place, throughout the entire project life cycle.
  • HOW Monitor Communications Operates.

Project Communications Management (by Process Groups) — PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition Update

Plan Communications Management

Manage Communications

Monitor Communications

Click here for a detailed analysis of each project management process group and knowledge area.

pmp 2018 monitor communications pmbok guide 6th edition tipsographic main

Monitor Communications 101

What Does Monitor Communications Involve and When Do You Perform It in a Project Life Cycle?

  • WHAT Monitor Communications Is. Monitor Communications implies ensuring that the communications management plan is effective, by comparing the plan with the outcome of the Manage Communication process and, eventually, making the required adjustments.
  • WHY Monitor Communications Is Important. Since shortcomings in Communications Management Plan or Project Communications may develop and the communications needs of stakeholders may change during the project life cycle, getting the plan right and then executing it well prevents the communication issues responsible for project problems and failures.
  • WHEN Monitor Communications Is Executed. A project manager starts performing the Monitor Communications process as soon as the communications management plan is executed and continues performing it on a day-to-day basis as long as the project communications take place, throughout the entire project life cycle.
  • HOW Monitor Communications Operates.
InputsTools and techniquesOutputs
  1. Project management plan
    • Resource management plan
    • Communications management plan
    • Stakeholder engagement plan
  2. Project documents
    • Issue log
    • Lessons learned register
    • Project communications
  3. Work performance data
  4. Enterprise environmental factors
  5. Organizational process assets
  1. Expert judgment
  2. Project management information system
  3. Data analysis
    • Stakeholder engagement assessment matrix
  4. Interpersonal and team skills
    • Observation/conversation
  5. Meetings
  1. Work performance information
  2. Change requests
  3. Project management plan updates
    • Communications management plan
    • Stakeholder engagement plan
  4. Project documents updates
    • Issue log
    • Lessons learned register
    • Stakeholder register

Source: PMBOK® Guide, 6th ed., Chapter 10, section 10.3, p. 388.

Monitor Communications Key Terms

project management professional certification 2018 kit free online prep tipsographicWhat Are the Key Terms to Fully Understand the Process of Monitoring Communications?

  • Communication Blockers. Things people do that inhibit good communication, such as withholding information, sending mixed messages, or ignoring cultural differences.
  • Issue Log. A document that lists and describes any open item that needs to be addressed and its status.
  • Work Performance Data. The raw data about how the project is progressing related to the schedule; e.g., implementation of change requests, preventive actions taken, percent of work actually completed, and so on.
  • Work Performance Information. The processed work performance data, changed from raw data into reports that can be used to make project decisions; e.g., status of the deliverables, lessons learned, forecasted completion dates, and so on.

Monitor Communications Tips

What Are the Best Tips to Answer Correctly the PMP Certification Exam Questions on Monitor Communications Process?

  • Manage Communications Vs. Monitor Communications. The Manage Communications process enforces the communications plan. The Monitor Communications process investigates if the communications plan is right and it may foster changes to the plan.
  • Project Manager’s Time Spent Communicating. 90% of a project manager’s job is communication. Of this 90%, 50% of the time is spent on communicating with the project team members.
  • Project Plan and Documents Updates. There is no fixed list of what a project manager may change as a result of the Monitor Communications process. Be it, e.g., the stakeholder management plan, human resource management plan, or issue log, what gets changed depends on what needs to be adjusted.

Click here for a detailed analysis of each project management process group and knowledge area.

SOURCES: Project Management Institute (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 6th ed. Newtown Square: Project Management Institute.

pmbok 6th edition, project management certification cost, certified project manager certification, project management certification training, project management certification courses, project management professional pmp certification, pmp training online, pmi project management certification, pmp course, pmp certification exam, pmp exam training, 35 hours of project management education, project management cert, project management certification pmp, pmi certification training, pmp 2018.