IT people don't communicate very well. We sit in our cubicles and code or configure, maybe do email. As a Project Manager, you've got to find a way to get your team to communicate beyond Email. Let's talk about a couple of methods you might use to keep the information flowing on your project.
“Management by walking around” is one of the most effective tools I've see good project managers use. I know this takes some work on your part, but there is no more effective method than just getting up, walking around and stopping to chat with your team members. I try to do this at least once a day, in addition to some of the following techniques.
I know you've thought about your project's communication needs while you were planning (or at least you should have). IT projects will probably need more care and handling than what you might do on other types of projects. Regularly scheduled project status meetings with the key players are always mandatory. But you might not always get your team to show up or they may not necessarily share when they are all together.
Another technique I've seen good project managers use is what I call the “drive by shooting” or 30 second status technique. With this technique, as you're walking down the hall and you run into a team member, you ask them "how's your deliverable going? Any issues?". Since you’re both probably busy, you’ll normally get a 30 second or less status. If there are issues affecting the deliverable, you’ll get immediate, first hand information on the problems right then and there.
Another communication technique to consider is what I call the "buy them off" approach. Find out what your most critical resource likes in the way of goodies (good coffee, scones, cookies, etc.), then take them for a "goody break" once a week. Having a little one on one time to see what is really going on in your project will be worth the time spent and the goodies purchased.
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