What is osmotic communication in project management?

Osmotic communication is the process of absorbing information subconsciously by overhearing useful discussions of other colocated team members. Team members pick up relevant information in the background as though by osmosis, without being directly involved in the conversation. It is a concept primarily associated with agile and colocated teams.

Can osmotic communication work with virtual teams?

While osmotic communication is naturally associated with colocated teams, virtual teams can bridge the gap using tools such as a fishbowl window — a persistent video link between distributed team members or locations. Always-on communication channels and open virtual meeting rooms can help simulate the ambient awareness that colocated teams experience.

What are the benefits of osmotic communication?

Osmotic communication lowers the cost of communication by eliminating the need for formal information distribution. It improves the feedback rate since team members can quickly interject relevant knowledge. It helps correct errors quickly when someone overhears incorrect information being discussed. It also helps disseminate knowledge across the team naturally.

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Osmotic Communication

Explanation of osmotic communication in a project environment

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Absorbing information subconsciously by overhearing useful discussions of other colocated team members is known as Osmotic Communication. The team members pick up the information subconsciously in the background as though by osmosis.

Osmotic communication is generally associated with colocated teams, but virtual teams can bridge the gap by using tools such as fishbowl window, which is a persistent video link between distributed teams.

Example

Two project team members are having a discussion about using a bug tracking software for their project. Another team member overhears their conversation and recommends a software that she had used on a previous project.

Importance

Lowers the cost of communication
Improves the feedback rate
Helps to correct errors quickly
Helps to disseminates knowledge in the team

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