PMI PMP Project Manager Certification

Answer: d - Lessons learned is a tool that creates communication-allowing you to communicate what went well and what didn’t go so well during a particular project.

Responding “That won’t work” without a clear explanation blocks communication by negating the other party’s ideas.

Culture can be a communication blocker because it may result in behaviors and responses that others may not understand. It’s important to be aware of the cultural divide that can cause communication problems in all situations, not just project that take place in different places. Many companies have distinct cultures, values and pacing that define how people communicate. Think about the difference between how you might communicate on a project at Goldman Sachs versus a non-profit.

Improper encoding of messages can happen when a Project Manager writes long e-mails but doesn’t quite summarize his points succinctly leaving too much room for misinterpretation.
Blaming is always a communication blocker and should be avoided whenever possible.

Key Take Away: It sounds a bit zen, but the role of a project manager is to not only communicate, but to encourage communication and to remove any potential obstacles that may occur. To do this, one must constantly remain aware of the various forms those obstacles may take. This sounds basic, but remember, it is not just how you communicate with team members. You must be aware of how your team members are communicating.