---
title: "Hazards of communication error"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 11
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:communication-error-hazards"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/communication-error-hazards
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Hazards of communication error

ICT Project Management · Chapter 11: Project Communication Management

- Asked in: year not given
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/communication-error-hazards
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-11

## Question

Explain the hazards of communication error in a project.

## Short answer

Communication errors cause misunderstood requirements, rework, delays, cost overruns, poor quality, conflict, low morale, wrong decisions, unmanaged risks, customer dissatisfaction, and legal problems. Prevention includes a communication plan, clear language, feedback, and choosing the right media.

## Answer

A communication error occurs when information is not sent, not received or not understood as intended. In projects, where many stakeholders depend on accurate information, such errors can seriously harm the outcome.

#### Hazards (consequences) of communication errors
1. **Misunderstood requirements**: the team builds the wrong features, causing rework, delay and cost increase. Schwalbe states that poor communication is a leading cause of IT project failure.
2. **Scope creep and disputes**: unclear agreement leads to conflict about what was promised.
3. **Schedule delays**: late or missing information about dependencies and approvals.
4. **Cost overruns**: rework, wasted effort and duplicated work.
5. **Poor quality**: wrong specifications and untested assumptions lead to defects.
6. **Conflict and loss of trust** among team members, customer and sponsor.
7. **Low morale and motivation**: people are unsure of tasks or feel ignored.
8. **Wrong decisions**: managers decide using incorrect or outdated data.
9. **Unmanaged risks**: warnings are not passed up, so small issues become crises.
10. **Customer dissatisfaction** and damaged reputation.
11. **Legal and contractual problems** when written agreements are ambiguous.
12. **Safety or security incidents** in some projects due to wrong instructions.

#### Causes
Language and cultural barriers, noise, jargon, wrong medium, too much information (overload), no feedback, physical distance and time zone, assumptions.

```text
Sender -> Message -> Medium -> Receiver
   ^   noise / error              |
   +--------- feedback -----------+
```

#### Prevention
- Prepare a communication management plan.
- Use clear, simple language and written confirmation.
- Ask for feedback and summarise.
- Choose the right media and keep records.
- Hold regular meetings and use a common glossary.

**Example:** A client says "fast reporting" meaning 2 seconds; the developer assumes 30 seconds. The mismatch is found only at acceptance, leading to costly redesign.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the main consequence of misunderstood requirements caused by communication error?
   A. The team builds wrong features, causing rework, delay and cost increase
   B. Project cost decreases
   C. The schedule shortens
   D. Quality improves through flexibility
   Answer: A. Wrong features lead to rework, delay and extra cost. (Key point: Misunderstood requirements)

2. How do communication errors lead to unmanaged risks?
   A. Too many warnings are sent
   B. Warnings are not passed up, so small issues become crises
   C. Risks are always transferred
   D. Risk owners are over-informed
   Answer: B. If warnings do not reach managers, small issues grow. (Key point: Unmanaged risks)

3. Which is a prevention measure for communication errors?
   A. Use technical jargon to be precise
   B. Send as much information as possible
   C. Prepare a communication management plan and ask for feedback
   D. Avoid written confirmation
   Answer: C. Prevention includes a plan, clear language, feedback, right media and records. (Key point: Prevention)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [Project communication management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-communication-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 11
- [Importance of communication management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aimportance-communication-management) — ICT Project Management, chapter 11
- [Communication management plan](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Acommunication-management-plan) — ICT Project Management, chapter 11
- [Communication planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Acommunication-planning) — ICT Project Management, chapter 11
- [Communication requirement analysis](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Acommunication-requirement-analysis) — ICT Project Management, chapter 11

## Related in other subjects

- [Error probability in a binary communication system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fcommunication_systems%3Aerror-probability-binary-system) — Communication Systems, chapter 9
- [Communication in a project and its importance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acommunication-importance) — Construction Management, chapter 10, asked 5×
- [IRR by trial and error; investment decision](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fengineering_economics%3Airr-trial-error-25000) — Engineering Economics, chapter 3
- [CRC error detection with example](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdata_communication%3Acrc-explain) — Data Communication, chapter 8, asked 5×