The next step of project management principles is project directing . The site engineer deals with people and he is required to organize , motivate and co-ordinate people’s actions so that they do their work properly.
The effectiveness with which they carry out his instructions depends largely on his ability to speak and write in a manner which can be under stood by the particular group to whom it is directed.
The main flow of information to the job site engineer is generally in written form. The site engineer is given the particular job requirements on plans and in specifications and it is his duty to correctly interpret this information and then to condense it into a form which can be readily explained to his subordinates and be understood by them.
Also the site engineer will often need to obtain additional information from the engineer’s staff and others to be able to properly direct his men.
He must decide what specific information should be given to his subordinate and to what degree this information should be expanded so that they can understand it.
Consideration should also be given as to whether this information can be given verbally or in writing.
The site engineer must issue sufficient information to his subordinates to enable them to control their section of the job in relation to the overall job program.
The timing of the issue of such information is also important. To be early with certain kinds of information is as serious as being late.
In relating information it is essential that, if it cannot be given in written form, then it should be given in an explicit manner such that it cannot be misunderstood by the receiver.
An instruction which is not specific can lead to misunderstandings on the job site, as the following example illustrates.
A truck driver directed to unload drainage pipes “opposite the gum tree beyond the bridge” did just that. However he choose the wrong tree because he went to the wrong bridge.
Effective communication is vital in organizations because: –
• It leads to high job morale.
• Only by this are attitudes and situations changed.
• It encourages full communication and hence it increases understanding and trust.
The site engineer should consolidate his communicating skills by utilizing the information that the segments on Human Relations.