Project Success Depends on Effective Communications

Background

Successful soil remediation depends on many factors that project managers know well: accurate assessments as to the extent and nature of contamination; the right choice and proper implementation of remediation technologies; and deft negotiation of regulatory requirements. Stakeholder communication is equally important, because it can help to avoid project delays and cost overruns and inoculate owners and others against frivolous litigation.

Teaching Points

Participants will learn about best practices as identified by academic experts in the field and real-world experience. These will include:

• using language that multiple audiences can understand;
• following risk communication principles; and
• the importance of engaging third parties to bolster credibility.

To illustrate the point: At a 2014 public meeting, an angry resident threatened to do whatever it took to stop an MGP remediation project in Rhode Island because he was convinced that “something he smelled while walking near the site” had killed his dog. W At the next public meeting, we set up individual stations with experts in several different disciplines – including one manned by an independent export on the transmission and distribution of natural gas whom we trained and who could explain to this resident that he smelled harmless mercaptan. By the time he left the meeting, he was smiling and shaking hands with the client’s representatives.

Summary

Participants will come away with a better understanding of the importance of effective communication in ensuring project success and with new skills that will them to be better communicators both within their organizations and with outside stakeholder groups.