In every project delivery communication plans are critical to manage stakeholders and stakeholder communications. An essential part of a communication plan is the Business Stand Up. See points below why this particular meeting is so important.

• It is short and crisp with a duration of 15 minutes and gets the important updates and issues across to key stakeholders.

• There is no set rule on the frequency of the meetings but for them to be effective two to three a week max is perfectly fine, daily is not necessary and would be overkill.

• It is one of the few meetings that can be opened up to all stakeholders, as it is a forum for open project communication for everyone.

• It is informal by nature so it is different to more formal project meetings and communications like steering committee meetings.

• It is a great forum to get stakeholders on the periphery of the project involved, especially those who wouldn’t be seen as key stakeholders.

• For stakeholders who are time sensitive it is  a great way to dip in and out of project flow and updates with little interruption to their daily tasks.

• It can highlight day to day issues affecting the flow of the project, therefore keeping the project delivery in stakeholders minds.

• It is great way for the project manager to keep on top of all issues and bottlenecks.

• In the RACI stakeholders classed as informed can and should attend.

• It is a great way for the project manager to understand the size of the wider project team and get known and recognised across all stakeholders and the business.

• It should avoid stakeholders receiving any surprises down the line as this is the forum for all to attend.

• The business stand up should be an essential part of a communication plan and it could be argued it is the most important meeting.

• The business stand up is different to your scrum stand ups when it comes to content but can be run in the same way.

• The business stand up is not there for the project manager to give updates, it’s for the stakeholders to ask questions and for the project manager to get the stakeholders to engage.

• Business stand ups can be tweaked and tailored to your audience and the culture of the company you are working for, let them grow organically to gain the best results and value.