Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Providing Clear Communication
The need for regular open communication is critical to the success of a data
warehouse project. This involves ensuring that there is a regular forum to
discuss progress and problems. Successful communication is not simply con-
ducting project status meetings and sending out project status reports. Those
are indeed important communication vehicles, but the intended audience for
those is the project team and project management personnel. Regular commu-
nication provides the best vehicle for questions and concerns to be raised and
then addressed. This helps expectations to be managed.
The communication must be open to be helpful. This means that teams are
encouraged to share both good news and bad news. Openly admitting that a
problem exists provides the opportunity for others in the organization to help
provide solutions.
REFERENCE
Chapter 4 provides tips for how to ensure effective and timely
communication about data warehouse initiatives.
SUCCESS TIPS: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Be sure to employ a multi-layered approach to communication. Organizations
don't have clear communication by accident; they develop specific communi-
cation plans and then follow through. These plans need to include an approach
to different levels of the organization, including senior management, project
sponsors, systems management, and the business groups who are the targeted
users of the data warehouse. The frequency and format for communication to
each of these audiences is different.
Senior management may only need quarterly updates in an executive briefing
format. Middle management, from both the business and the systems commu-
nity, may need a more detailed form of an executive briefing. It is helpful to
have these on a monthly basis. This is often done by including a brief time slot
in regularly scheduled staff meetings. Monthly updates for the target user
group may also be enough. Again, the opportunity to share progress can be
easily included in regular staff meetings.
NOTE
It is critical to continue regular communication when there is no signifi-
cant progress to report. The fact that work has slowed and milestones have not yet
been reached is just as important as sharing significant progress. Reporting that
hard work continues and that the next milestone is expected to be met by a spe-
cific date is useful.
