As a project manager, you need to master the basics of writing

Project managers spend most of their time communicating with the project team and with other stakeholders.

In formally managed projects, this involves a lot of writing. Writing takes many forms, including short informal messages (via WhatsApp, Slack and so on), updates in information systems (e.g. in Excel, Microsoft Project or Basecamp), and self-structured presentations, reports and detailed documents (created in applications such as PowerPoint and Word).

Writing is a gateway skill for performance competence as described in the Project Manager Competency Development Framework (PMCDF).

Like many other project managers, you may find yourself in a situation where there are no formal communication processes in place, and where nobody knows more about proper Project Management than you do. If you intend to remain there and make things work well, then you are going to have to introduce document templates and other tools for yourself and for others as part of a process of gradual improvement. In other words, you won’t only be doing written communication; you may well have to play a leading role in improving written communication and the management of project communications as a whole.

So, if you want to master this important activity that will consume most of your time, you’ll have to master the basics of writing. The articles below are designed to help you.

3 basic things you need to get right in written communication

If you’re not sure whether you’re making any basic mistakes, then this article is for you. (There are other basic things which matter too, but becoming aware of these three will help you get started on your journey towards mastery.)

3 obstacles to mastering the basics of writing

This short article can help you identify what’s standing in the way of change.

5 tips to improve your writing

If you realise that you haven’t mastered the basics yet and you’re ready to start your journey, then this article is for you.