Choosing Your Communication Methods and Tools

What Is a Communication Method?

A communication method is how you share a message. It’s the method you use to send information to others. In project management, there are three core communication methods: interactive, push, and pull.

Choosing Between the Interactive, Push, and Pull Method

So how do you choose between the interactive, push, and pull method? Move through this interaction to learn how we define these terms and when each technique works best.

Interactive Communication

Interactive communication is real-time, back-and-forth communication. It’s a live conversation. In-person discussions, video conferences, phone calls, and instant messaging are all examples of interactive communication. This method is great for:

• Collaborating with a team and getting immediate feedback.
• Conveying urgent information.
• Communicating sensitive details that are prone to misinterpretation.

Push Communication

Push communication requires a response, but that reply might not be immediate. Your recipient is expected to take action only once they notice the message. Emails, text messages, and voicemails are all examples of push communication. This method is great for:

• Giving your receiver extra time to think about their response.
• Documenting what’s been said or agreed to during a prior conversation.
• Clarifying information in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

Pull Communication

Pull communication is normally sent through writing, but no action is required. As its name suggests, pull communication allows your receiver to pull the information when they need it. Websites, bulletin boards, company servers, and study materials are all examples of pull communication. This method is great for:

• Sharing communication that’s for informational purposes only.
• Communicating with a large audience when no action is required.
• Giving others access to information when it’s most convenient for them.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Tool for Your Method

When choosing your communication tool, you’ll want to pick one that’s tailored to your method. Here are five of the most common communication tools used by project managers: