|
Mar 29, 2024
|
|
|
|
TC 334 - Project Communications3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits Course Description This course focuses on rhetorical theory and practice associated with all communications involved in project management covering the entire life of a project. Special emphasis is given to communicating with internal and external audiences; communicating “up” and “down” a company’s organizational hierarchy; shaping content across temporalities, platforms, and contexts; addressing tacit/hidden rhetorical challenges; documenting processes; reporting on status/ progress to multiple audiences and for multiple purposes; optimizing communications aspects of knowledge management; improving teamwork and morale; and communicating “change.” Students will employ persuasive strategies for building a “business case” proposal. Additionally, tools and techniques for streamlining project communications will be introduced and utilized. (prereq: GS 1001 , GS 1002 , GS 1003 ) Course Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Ability to determine multiple potential audiences for any message, to identify key characteristics of those audiences, and to adjust/reshape that message to accomplish rhetorical goals
- Fluency with key vocabulary associated with project management, change management, knowledge management, and rhetorical theory
- Knowledge of appropriate communications activity occurring throughout the lifecycle of a project
- Knowledge of and proficiency with software and other professional tools needed to engage in all aspects of project communications
- Knowledge of business contexts in which project communications occur
- Ability to document and report on project progress
- Knowledge of professional organizations that provide resources and support for professional growth for all communications associated with project management
- Ability to determine the best medium for communication in any given context, including audience considerations, and to shape the message appropriately for that medium
- Skill in interpersonal communications, including one-on-one conversations and larger group discussions
- Ability to employ business communication principles to produce routine transactional communications that contribute to successful team building and effective interaction with a diverse array of clients, content providers, and outside contractors
- Understanding of professional responsibilities and ability to apply ethical behaviors in ambiguous contexts
- Ability to conduct primary and secondary research as needed to complete project communications tasks
- Ability to capture, document, and apply knowledge from current and past projects
Prerequisites by Topic Course Topics
- Introduction to the rhetorical principles of business communication (2 classes)
- Introduction to project communications: overview of key purposes, documents, processes, contexts (3 classes)
- Principles of persuasion (1 class)
- Building the business case (3 classes)
- Audience analysis - multiple levels, hidden functions, and unanticipated future contexts (2 classes)
- Reshaping messages for different audiences (2 classes)
- Improving routine transactional communications to strengthen relationships (1 class)
- Communication strategies for effective meetings (3 classes)
- Status/progress reports (1 class)
- Ethical dilemmas in project communications (1 class)
- Communication strategies for optimizing knowledge management systems (2 classes)
- High-stakes project communications - delivering bad news, making demands,
- communicating change, crisis communications (5 classes)
- Writing workshops (4 classes)
Coordinator Katherine Wikoff
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)
|
|