Stakeholder Communication Methods
3
Methods
Push, Pull, Interactive
2
Status Modes
EVM dashboards for predictive, burndown for agile
1
Crisis Rule
Go interactive when things get hard
match the method to the message · not your preference
Three Communication Methods
Push
sender → receivers
You send, they receive. Email, reports, memos. No confirmation they read it.
Use for: routine status, bulk updates, reference info.
Pull
receiver ← source
They come get it when they need it. Wikis, dashboards, shared drives.
Use for: reference material, self-serve data, searchable history.
Interactive
two-way · real-time
Face-to-face, video, phone. Everyone responds, adjusts, and reads body language.
Use for: anything hard · crisis, conflict, negotiation, sensitive news.
how to read this
- › Pushis fast but has no feedback loop. You don't know who actually read it.
- › Pull works when the audience is motivated to find info. Useless for urgent or surprising news.
- › Interactive is the most expensive but the only method for anything emotionally loaded — firings, conflicts, surprises, bad news.
- › Rule of thumb: the harder the topic, the more interactive the method. Bad news in email is the classic exam trap.
Exam Traps
Interactive for sensitive or urgent topics
Email is not the right choice for conflict or crisis. Face-to-face or video every time.
Push and pull serve different purposes
Push broadcasts. Pull lets stakeholders self-serve. Match the method to the need.
Info radiators are public
Kanban boards and dashboards are visible to anyone. They show status, never confidential data.
Hard topics are interactive
Conflict, bad news, or negotiation. Always pick the interactive method.
Do not email bad news
A layoff announcement in a status report is a classic trap. Go in person or on video.
A group email with the vacation itinerary. One-way broadcast.
A shared calendar people check when they want. Self-service.
Sunday dinner where the hard conversations happen. Face to face.
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