Communication at Site

Importance of Communication at Site:

Communication happens to be the most effective phenomenon for the success of construction projects.
The importance of communication at construction projects can be summarized as under;

• Communication builds relationship among the team constituents in construction projects. The
relationships build trust amongst team members which in turn brings transparency in transactions and
improves work environment.
• Communication facilitates idea sharing and innovations. The collective experience in a construction
team is very huge, hence extremely effective ideas and innovations emerge with the help of
communication.
• Clear and precise communication builds confidence and strength in the construction site.
• Communication offers a very effective tool for feedback by leaders to team members.
• Communication offers channels for problem solving and directing activities.
• Communication offers to deliver results through transparency in transactions, delivering instructions et.

Modes of communication at construction sites:

Construction sites adopt all general modes of communication namely;

• Verbal communication
• Written communication
• Non-verbal / symbolic / sign communication
• Grape-wine communication.

Another classification of modes of communication at construction projects is;

• Formal communication
• Informal communication

Verbal communication is through spoken words. Effectiveness of verbal communication depends upon the
language, tone and the brevity of the communication. Verbal communication is adopted for daily group
briefings, discussions during problem solving and all other informal communications. Verbal
communications may be in person through face to face discussion or remote through communication tools.
Evolution of video calling facilities have added edge to remote communication.
Written communication is through written words. The effectiveness of written communication depends
upon its form and the delivery of the same to concerned parties. Letters, Notes, Reports, Drawings, Designs,
Fax / e_mail / mobile phone messages etc. are all written communications. Written communications form
the documentary evidence for the transactions that have taken place.

Non-verbal / Symbolic /Sign communication does not extensively employ words. Different types of sign
boards, flow charts and hand and tool signals are used for communication. Instructions, Safety precautions,
guidance from remote locations are generally achieved through this mode of communication.

Grape wine communication is nothing but gossiping. This mode of communication spreads very fast and
across the hierarchy levels. Majority of times origin of grape wine communication is unauthorized and with
mala fide interest. But considering the effectiveness of this mode of communication, organizations do take
calculated risk to use this mode also to some extent.

Formal communication involves formal channels like circulars, notices, reports, notes, meetings and the
minutes of the same, work orders, memorandums of understandings, agreements etc. These
communications form documentary proof for implementation and evaluations. The language, hierarchy and
the propagation are through official and set methodologies. This communication is time consuming but is
important for all vital decisions and implementation strategies.

Informal communication involves informal channels like group discussions, chats, telephonic talks,
messaging etc. There is no set procedure for informal communication. It is flexible and quick. Rough noting
or no record of informal communication is maintained as documentation. Informal communication is quick
without language, hierarchy and propagation restrictions are imposed on it. Informal communications are
important for planning daily activities, problem solving, emergency decisions etc.

Barriers for communication at constructions works

Construction sites feature diversified stake holders and work force. The interests, motives, Jargons
(Terminologies), Technical knowledge & skills of the involved parties in the projects vary to a great interest.
The communications are not always wholesome containing the entire information. Such a situation results
in numerous barriers in communication. The common barriers noticed are as under;

• Language barrier
• Motive barrier
• Channel barrier
• Timing of communication
 • Awareness barrier
• Level of motivation barrier
• Physiological barrier

Language barrier occurs due to the fact that various parties involved have different perception and use
different Jargons. The language of consultants like Architect, designer, Quality control are misinterpreted by
implementation personnel. The parties involved in civil engineering projects also keep on changing thereby
creating problems in matching of language.

Motive barrier: The motive of the party involved has an effect on the interpretation of the
communication received. Each party would prefer to work in their comfort zone and interpret the
communication with their own comfort priority. Such a state results in confusion and fails the purpose of
communication.

Channel barrier: The channel selected for communication sometimes misfits the purpose of
communication resulting in compromising on the effectiveness of the communication.

Timing of communication has a great bearing on its effectiveness. Generally, communications at the
beginning of a day or shift are effective in comparison to those at the end of day or shift owing to the level of
attention of the receiver. Also, communications issued at times of approaching breaks for festivals etc. have
low effectiveness owing to lack of attention.

Awareness barrier: The awareness of personnel involved in communication process affects the success
of communication. Personnel without awareness communicate in an incomplete manner or those without
awareness interpret the communication received inconclusively.

Level of motivation barrier: The level of motivation of the personnel involved has a great impact on the
success of the communication. Personnel with low motivation fail to see the broader picture of the goal while
communication. Such communications have curtailed scope and fail to have the effect.

Physiological barrier: The physical state of the communicator and the receiver mainly depend on the
hygiene factors. Personnel in bad physical shape may communicate or interpret ineffectively.

Techniques to overcome barriers for effective communication

The comprehensive study of barriers for communication has carried out research on the physiological,
psychological, managerial aspects of communication have evolved following measures to overcome the
barriers.
• Proper understanding of the structure of the organization helps in deciding on the language, channel,
timing of communication to improve its effectiveness.
• Encouraging upward communication improves the understanding of the work level facts properly and
design effective communication. The work force also feels belonged in decision making process thereby
remain motivated.
• Periodic audits on effectiveness helps in improving the effectiveness of communication.
• Favoring process of integration results in proper understanding amongst the various components of
organization. Such a situation reduces the confusion in communication.
• Improving work force behavior through conscious trainings and workshops improve communication.
• Exposure to innovative techniques of communication improves the effectiveness of communication.