Effective Communication

Effective communication is vital to the successful completion of any construction project. Good
communication can improve teamwork and lead to better project collaboration. Poor
communication can result in misunderstandings, delays, and issues down the road. The people in
the industry of architecture and drafting should know how to effectively communicate with their
clients. They should practice hospitality, while they are interacting with their clients, so that their
clients feel that they are valued as a client, and get their trust to work with you.

In every company in architecture and drafting industry, they work as a team, that’s why you need
to effectively communicate with each other. You and your co-workers should establish a great
communication, and build trust with each other. By doing that, you can contribute a lot to your
company, and you might get promoted if you are doing really great. You and your co-workers
can achieve more by doing great as a team, your establish bond and trust will lead you all to
success.

To establish an effective way of communication, you should start doing this: Establish a
Communication Chain of Command, Choose the Right Communication Method for the
Message, Be an Active Listener, Avoid Confusion, Be Clear and Concise, Keep Written
Communication Professional at All Times, and Stick to the Facts. By doing all of these, you
can effectively communicate to whoever you are talking to, and to wherever industry you
are belong to.

6 Keys to Better Construction Communication

1. Establish a Communication Chain of Command
It’s important to determine a chain of command for communication on a construction project.
These are typically spelled out in the contract documents and usually require the owner and
general contractor to communicate with each other through the architect.
2. Choose the Right Communication Method for the Message
We communicate in a number of ways every day, both verbally and nonverbally and
construction communication is no different. We text, we talk on the phone and in person, we
send emails and some of us in this digital age inexplicably still use the old fax machine. On the
construction site, we communicate through signs, drawings, hand signals, and meetings. We
compile daily reports, take photos, create requests for information (RFIs) and review change
orders.
3. Be an Active Listener
When you engage in oral communication, whether in person or over the phone, you want to be
an active listener. Don’t just sit there and absorb the information like a digital recorder, that’s
passive listening at best. Try to understand what the speaker is trying to communicate from their
point of view.
4. Avoid Confusion, Be Clear and Concise
When communicating in construction you want to make every effort to have your message
understood the first time you send it. Avoid using jargon or terms that the people you are
communicating with might not understand. Your message should be focused and to the point.
Keep it short and simple as much as possible.
5. Keep Written Communication Professional at All Times
Avoid using foul language or allowing your emotions to impact your message. If emotions are
running high, take 24 hours before sending that email so you can review and make any changes
to your message before sending. If a more immediate response is required, read the message
aloud to yourself or have someone else take a look at it to get a second opinion.
6. Stick to the Facts
Basically, you want to be the Sergeant Joe Friday of the construction industry. You should only
be interested in providing or getting the facts. Don’t overelaborate or include extraneous
information in your communications. Unless asked, keep your personal opinions or feelings
about a project to yourself.

Review of Related Literature

1. The Importance of Effective Communication in Construction - Tinto Architecture

2. Construction Projects and the Importance of Effective Communication
(stonemarkcm.com)
3. 6 Keys to Better Construction Communication (constructconnect.com)