Why email is considered as informal communication type?
Karthik TSenior Engineering Manager| NikeBangalore, Karnataka, India
In most of the organizations we do request / approvals through official email communication. And lot many communications related to project through emails. So, just wondering why is it considered as informal type rather than formal communication type. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I would probably say because it is not officially signed, emails can be altered sometimes and used for fraud, so many reasons but yet, it depends on the company and the project. Saving Changes...
Karthik TSenior Engineering Manager| NikeBangalore, Karnataka, India
Thank you Rami. I agree with you, valid point. Even if we digitally sign emails it's hard to avoid frauds sometimes.
Any more thoughts? Saving Changes...
Dominic LawProduct Manager| PCCW GlobalHappy Valley, Hong Kong
I agree with you that signature of paper contract is most official.Then the next level of formal communication is email, as it is written evidence of evidence, and it is more official than verbal and instant messaging. In (common) law, a verbal agreement can be considered as a contract. So even if the communication is "informal", please be careful about what you say!
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2 replies by Karthik T and Wade Harshman
Aug 30, 2016 7:36 AM
Karthik T
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Good shout! Thank you Dominic for your opinion. Its mentioned in PMBOK that email is informal communication type.
Sep 01, 2016 11:06 AM
Wade Harshman
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Good point, Dominic. Email may be less formal, but it still establishes a record of communication, whereas a verbal discussion does not.
The PMBOK (5th Ed.) makes the distinction between formal and informal many times. For example, a memo can be formal or informal, a project schedule can be formal or informal. The difference is how it is written and how binding that document or communication is within the organization.
I don't know exactly why email is listed that way in the PMBOK, but I think it's mostly correct. An email might contain a formal document, but it's rarely a formal document in and of itself- although it could be if it's formally written and digitally signed. It will be interesting to see if the 6th edition addresses email differently.
Saving Changes...
AKSHAY JAINPlanning Group Leader| YOKOGAWA, BahrainGwalior, Mp, India
Now in most of cases e-mails are considered as formal communications and agreement of e-mails are accepted but still e-mails does not provide grantee of full security and subject alteration so for most critical and legal purposes, specially for financial transactions signature on papers are required.
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1 reply by Karthik T
Aug 30, 2016 7:36 AM
Karthik T
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Thank you Akshay for sharing your thoughts.
Saving Changes...
Karthik TSenior Engineering Manager| NikeBangalore, Karnataka, India
Aug 30, 2016 4:13 AM
Replying to Dominic Law
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I agree with you that signature of paper contract is most official.Then the next level of formal communication is email, as it is written evidence of evidence, and it is more official than verbal and instant messaging. In (common) law, a verbal agreement can be considered as a contract. So even if the communication is "informal", please be careful about what you say!
Good shout! Thank you Dominic for your opinion. Its mentioned in PMBOK that email is informal communication type. Saving Changes...
Karthik TSenior Engineering Manager| NikeBangalore, Karnataka, India
Aug 30, 2016 6:17 AM
Replying to AKSHAY JAIN
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Now in most of cases e-mails are considered as formal communications and agreement of e-mails are accepted but still e-mails does not provide grantee of full security and subject alteration so for most critical and legal purposes, specially for financial transactions signature on papers are required.
Thank you Akshay for sharing your thoughts. Saving Changes...
Praveen Jayarama ReddyAccount Manager| Attra Infotech Pvt LtdBangalore, Karnataka, India
it also depends on the need. documentation signoff like specifications, test results can be done over emails and are accepted as well. however SOWs, NDAs has to be more formal.
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
I wonder if it 'd be possible to note e-mails as a formal communication type in the Communications Management Plan, which is then signed and reviewed/updated if necessary.
In other words, one of the ground rules in project communication management would be consider e-mails a formal communication tool.
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1 reply by Karthik T
Sep 01, 2016 7:54 AM
Karthik T
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Thank you Eduard
Saving Changes...
Karthik TSenior Engineering Manager| NikeBangalore, Karnataka, India
Sep 01, 2016 5:04 AM
Replying to Praveen Jayarama Reddy
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it also depends on the need. documentation signoff like specifications, test results can be done over emails and are accepted as well. however SOWs, NDAs has to be more formal.
Thank you Praveen for your inputs Saving Changes...
Karthik TSenior Engineering Manager| NikeBangalore, Karnataka, India
Sep 01, 2016 5:34 AM
Replying to Eduard Hernandez
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I wonder if it 'd be possible to note e-mails as a formal communication type in the Communications Management Plan, which is then signed and reviewed/updated if necessary.
In other words, one of the ground rules in project communication management would be consider e-mails a formal communication tool.
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