Effective communication is the backbone of any project in the AEC industry, as it avoids misunderstandings and ensures everyone works towards the same goal.
Research shows that 55% of project managers believe good communication skills are essential to success. There are various ways to effectively interact with those around us, such as written, verbal, and nonverbal communication, and the construction sector is no exception. The message transmitted within the team and the stakeholders determine the success or failure of a project in the construction sector.
Communication types for AEC projects can be diverse and varied. When we know how to get our point across well, we can ensure that projects get delivered on time and that everyone is working towards the same business goals. Broadly there are five types of communication which are
1.Verbal Communication: Phone calls and face-to-face conversations can be formal or casual.
2. Non-verbal communication: Expressing feelings and thoughts through body language, gestures and eyes.
3. Written communication: Is expressing your ideas through pictures, carts, emails, and newspapers.
4. Listening: Listening is equally important and crucial for a project’s success in AEC.
5. Visual communication: Diagrams, infographics, VR and AR are crucial in communicating and expressing ideas.
The most predominant communication styles at workplace are:
a.Formal– The communication is orderly and systematic, and the instruction flow is specific and clear.
b.Informal– No structure followed; it is more about building interpersonal relationships.
c.Downward- It is from superiors to subordinates following a chain of orders to follow. It can be procedures and policies laid by organisations.
d.Upward- This form of communication helps subordinates share what they think, and it works best when ideas and changes are supported.
e.Horizontal– This is communication between co-workers, and the goal is to get everyone in the organisation to work together.
f.Diagonal– Sharing information across multiple teams and departments is a diagonal mode of communication.
Adopting efficient communication behaviours in AEC allows team members to collaborate effectively on any project. Choosing the best communication platform is determined by your objectives and the intricacy of your message. While an email may suffice in one situation, a face-to-face meeting may be preferable in another.
Some of the most common and effective modes of communication in construction to match your project needs are:
a.Cloud-based SaaS – Microsoft Teams, Fieldwire, CoConstruct
b.Mobile apps – GoCanvas, Autodesk, Oracle Aconex
c.Site meetings- Onsite and offsite meetings
d.Signs and signals- Hand signs and signals
e.Wearable devices- Smart watches, safety helmets
Decoding communication types
Communication types:
There are types of communication we use for effective project management:
Verbal communication:
Most people in the AEC business prefer verbal communication to connect. It is communicating your thoughts and ideas with respective stakeholders over phone calls and face to face discussions. Be it a weekly meeting or presentation to stakeholders, the importance of verbal communication is unparalleled for successful collaborations.
Non-verbal communication:
Sometimes the exchange of information involves something other than speech or written words. Facial expressions, posture, eye contact, gestures, and touch convey your attitude and feelings and are important to communication. Most industries, including AEC, provide formal training to their teams to assist them in understanding nonverbal cues.
Written communication:
All written messages, like emails, letters, reports, social media posts, contracts, etc., are meant to be clear and to the point. Please pay attention to the right tone and message because they set the stage for the conversation.
Listening:
Communication rarely includes listening. Yet, active listening is one of the most important types of communication. Imagine how you could effectively interact without listening. The art of listening helps project managers and team members grasp goals, expectations, and needs and share ideas and criticism. Active listening brings teams together and creates an atmosphere of mutual understanding.
Visual communication:
Most of the time, visuals attract immediate attention. Signs and boards often convey the message that ingrains in people’s minds. They evoke emotions, illustrate your point, and provide stronger examples for your message.
Styles of Communication
Picking up different communication styles helps you manage your construction project efficiently. In project management, communication has many facets that must be handled. Here are some examples of the wide range of communication styles needed.
Formal:
- Purpose-Managers regulate formal types via established channels
- Common examples are Status reports, progress updates, and project plans
- Pros- Systematic, information flow, message tracking
- Cons-Time consuming, lacks personal contact
Informal:
- Purpose-No channels are required. A more social environment and causal interactions
- Common examples are Unofficial messages and personal chats
- Pros- Flexible, builds teamwork
- Cons-Information leakage, no reliable source
Upward:
- Purpose-Employees communicate with their superiors
- Common examples are Ideas, concerns, complaints, and work updates
- Pros- Management gets effective feedback, supports innovation, and promotes mutual cooperation
- Cons-Time consuming, filtered messages, resistance to negative feedback, delay in response
Downward:
- Purpose – Communication by superiors to subordinates
- Common examples are Orders, instructions, and policies
- Pros- Delegates authority, receive work feedback
- Cons- One-way communication, time consuming, micromanaging
Horizontal:
- Purpose – Communication among employees at the same organisational level
- Common examples are Committee meetings, conferences
- Pros- Avoids duplication of work, team coordination, peer support
- Cons- Unmotivated communication, conflicts, and siloed thinking
Diagonal:
- Purpose – Communication among employees at different hierarchies
- Common examples are developers communicating with marketing leads to better understand product needs
- Pros- Better efficiency, saves times, speeds up action, improves teamwork
- Cons- Unsystematic communication, breaks command unity
Methods of Communication
Information exchange happens via various methods of communication. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right one relies on many things, like the message, the audience, and the project goals.
Cloud-based construction management software
Investing in technology that helps workers share vital information improves communication. Cloud-based construction management software speeds project start-up. They adapt to business needs and use data. With strong controls, organisations can automate, track, and manage supply chain budgets.
Mobile applications
Mobile construction management apps have advanced greatly. Software providers are porting desktop construction management suites to mobile. Mobile apps ease onsite data capture and document sharing in one go.
Organising site meetings
Site meetings are still one of the best ways to solve problems on a project. Regular site meetings help you track how the project is progressing and let you analyse risks or potential challenges you can address.
Hand signals and signs
Hand signals on construction sites may keep workers and the site safe. Stop and boom/load signs are vital hand gestures. Crane operators utilise stop signals to stop movement and activities rapidly. Boom signals tell the crane operator to raise or lower the boom. The signaller and operator must comprehend all hand signs to communicate.
Wearable devices for communication
Wearable devices are advancing in construction. Safety is the basis for their exceptional acceptability. Smartwatches are highly adopted wearables for their functions like notifying the supervisor’s safety in case of an accident, such as a worker falling, and revealing the injured party’s location. Wearable gadgets capture site data and promptly notify the appropriate party. Here is an example. A smart, live-feed hard helmet informs a supervisor of building site events.
In any sector, including AEC, communication is the heart of building relationships and the building block for team and organisation success. Our aim for this article is to give you relevant insights into effective means of communication. Drop in your comments if it helps you.
Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.
Nat Turner
