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


  • WHAT Plan Communications Management Is. Plan Communications Management implies developing a plan that ensures the individual stakeholders have the information they need, at the right time, with the right method, and in the right format.
  • WHY Plan Communications Management Is Important. Lack of communication and poor communication may cause a project to fail. To prevent this scenario, a project manager needs to define how everybody will receive the right message at the right time.
  • WHEN Plan Communications Management Is Executed. A project manager executes the Plan Communications Management process early in the project, after the Identify Stakeholders process has been completed.
  • HOW Plan Communications Management Operates.
pmp 2018 plan communications management pmbok guide 6th edition tipsographic main

Plan Communications Management 101

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


  • WHAT Plan Communications Management Is. Plan Communications Management implies developing a plan that ensures the individual stakeholders have the information they need, at the right time, with the right method, and in the right format.
  • WHY Plan Communications Management Is Important. Lack of communication and poor communication may cause a project to fail. To prevent this scenario, a project manager needs to define how everybody will receive the right message at the right time.
  • WHEN Plan Communications Management Is Executed. A project manager executes the Plan Communications Management process early in the project, after the Identify Stakeholders process has been completed.
  • HOW Plan Communications Management Operates.
InputsTools and techniquesOutputs
  1. Project charter
  2. Project management plan
    • Resource management plan
    • Stakeholder engagement plan
  3. Project documents
    • Requirements documentation
    • Stakeholder register
  4. Enterprise environmental factors
  5. Organizational process assets
  1. Expert judgment
  2. Communication requirements analysis
  3. Communication technology
  4. Communication models
  5. Communication methods
  6. Interpersonal and team skills
    • Communication styles assessment
    • Political awareness
    • Cultural awareness
  7. Data representation
    • Stakeholder engagement assessment matrix
  8. Meetings
  1. Communications management plan
  2. Project management plan updates
    • Stakeholder engagement plan
  3. Project documents updates
    • Project schedule
    • Stakeholder register

Source: PMBOK® Guide, 6th ed., Chapter 10, section 10.1, p. 366.

Plan Communications Management Key Terms

What Are the Key Terms to Fully Understand the Process of Planning Communications Management?


  • project management professional certification 2018 kit free online training tipsographicCommunication Channels. A path of communication that exists within the project. Channels = (number of people on the project × (number of people on the project less 1)) divided by 2. Expressed as Channels = n (n − 1) / 2.
  • Communications Management Plan. A subset of the project management plan that provides a guide for completing the communications management activities in the project.
  • Communication Methods. A tool for recognizing how a project manager actually shares the information with the stakeholders – classified in interactive communication, push communication, or pull communication.
  • Communication Models. A tool for describing how a message is transmitted from the sender and how it is received by the receiver, through a selected medium.
  • Communication Requirements Analysis. A tool for analyzing and determining the information valuable to the project stakeholders, so that they can make good decisions.
  • Communication Technology. A tool that PMP examines and decides the particular form of technology to be used for project communication, such as written, face-to-face, or virtual communication.

Plan Communications Management Tips

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


  • Communication Lines. On the PMP exam, synonyms for communication channels.
  • Effective Communication Vs. Efficient Communication. Communication activities are effective when they provide the information in the right format for the intended audience at the right time. Communication activities are efficient when they provide the appropriate information – and only that information – at the right time.
  • Focus of Communications Management. The whole Knowledge Area focuses on project manager and stakeholders – including the project team members, who need to know who gets what information and when.
  • Para Lingual Communication. On the PMP exam, a kind of nonverbal communication used to transmit a message above and beyond the spoken words. It includes vocal quality, loudness, tempo, facial expressions, and gestures.

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.

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