Communication and Influence Essays - Intelligence,

Assignment #3 Communication and Influence Daniel S. Carrera Dr. Darlene L. Pomponio Project Management Leadership - BUS 518 Strayer University ? Newport News 18 February 2011 Abstract Project Managers and/or project teams must develop communication plans in order to minimize ineffective communication. Project managers must also be able to influence the action(s) of others by using various power methods. When using these power methods there are definite pros and cons that will augment or degrade a project manager?s influential methods. Communication and Influence Communication is essential to project management and if not done correctly one, two or all three of project management?s tenets (cost, schedule, and performance) will severely degrade a program with the possibility of overrun. Effective communication begins with effective planning. The basic premise of project management planning is to effectively communicate and answer fundamental management questions (Phillips, 2007): Who needs what information? When do they need the information? In what modality is the information needed? Who will provide the information? Communication planning is essential to answer the questions previously listed as early as possible in the project planning process. If the questions are not answered in a timely manner, the outcome will be severely affected. Communication plans are put in place as an essential component of good project management. The plan will ensure that all stakeholders are equally informed of how, when, and why communication will happen. Communication is often a very effective way to solve problems, deal with risks, and ensure that tasks are completed on time. I am the Deputy of Operations for a Mobile Training Team (MTT) called ?ISR TOPOFF? that bridges a serious communication gap between intelligence collection assets and commanders who are leading Soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, Military intelligence units, as well as the rest of the Army, have undergone tremendous transformation. The Army has transformed from a Division-centric force to Brigade Combat Team. Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) have assets organic to its organization such as the Reconnaissance Surveillance Target Acquisition (RSTA) squadrons, Military Intelligence companies and Signal companies that provide critical information to support commander?s operational needs. Since this transformation, commanders now have greater capabilities to focus organic and non-organic intelligence assets in their area of operations. Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) assets are critical intelligence enablers that communicate much needed operational information to ensure commanders have all the critical data that allow their units to become successful in military operations. This communication process will allow commanders to make timely decisions and minimize casualties during combat operations. The communication plan the government has implemented to support commanders is the MTT which I currently reside over as the Deputy of Operations. The intent of the MTT is to train Soldiers with the latest training on current ISR systems and processes used in combat operations. ISR TOPOFF MTT is a resource available to all BCTs so that no unit deploying to a combat theater should go in cold on the latest intelligence capabilities, lessons learned, and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP). The instructors in our MTT use current real world experiences and vignettes to provide a good operational training during Homestatin training prior to deploying to a theater of operations. The training gives Soldiers a better understanding on how to support commander?s intelligence requirements and integrate battle staff elements into the process. ISR TOPOFF has three clear and distinct goals which support a commander?s communication plan: ? Provide the Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) collection team clear, specific understanding of how to make the ?ISR process? respond to the BCT Commander?s operational needs. ? Provide specific details on what to expect for pre-planned, ad-hoc, and dynamic mission requests to include what ISR systems are available to the BCT. ? Provide insight on what process, systems and products works best for effective operational support for specific missions. ISR TOPOFF MTT is comprised of standalone instruction modules over 3 days consisting of hands-on training and if needed, a senior leaders overview. The training is very useful for intelligence centric personnel. As an example, they receive a refresher on implementation of critical intelligence discipline such as: Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Measures and Signals Intelligence (MASINT), and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) and the dynamics of leveraging assets in support of operational needs. Since the advent of ISR TOPOFF and