A solid project plan is essential for overall project success but it only works if it’s kept alive through consistent, open communication. No matter how detailed the schedule or how clearly defined the tasks, projects can drift off course when people stop talking to each other. At Alexana, we’ve seen time and time again that communication isn’t just a supporting tool, it’s the glue that holds everything together.
We often hear from clients who feel left in the dark during a project. They’ve hired consultants, agreed on a scope of work, and then… silence. A few weeks go by, no emails or calls, and then suddenly the final report shows up in their inbox. That kind of approach doesn’t build trust. It creates uncertainty, delays, and -sometimes- completely avoidable rework.
That’s why we do things differently.
From the beginning, we set expectations for how we’ll communicate: who’s the main contact, how often we’ll provide updates, and what kind of decisions will need their input. Some clients want to be hands-on and involved at every stage; others prefer high-level updates with minimal disruption. The key is to ask early and adapt accordingly.
We also use simple tools to stay connected: shared folders for real-time access to documents, structured email updates to summarize progress, and both regular and irregular check-ins to flag risks before they escalate. These aren’t complicated systems. They’re just habits that help keep everyone aligned.
Communication is also about listening. It’s easy to fall into the trap of delivering information instead of having a conversation. But when a client voices a concern or asks a question, it’s an opportunity to clarify, realign, or offer a better path forward. We’ve had cases where a quick phone call revealed that a client’s priorities had shifted – something we wouldn’t have known if we’d just stuck to the original scope without checking in.
Sometimes, good communication is about saying things clients might not want to hear. For example: “You don’t need this report,” or “There’s a regulatory risk here you may not have considered.” Being transparent, even when it’s uncomfortable, builds credibility in the long run. Clients don’t come to us for sugarcoating; they come to us for clarity.
Ultimately, our job is not just to deliver technical reports. It’s to help our clients make informed decisions, manage risk, and move their projects forward with confidence. And that starts by keeping the lines of communication open from day one.