#project communication

[suzypfonne]

Before January 2025:

If you are a USAmerican in a relationship that might be affected by legislation that dissolves same-sex marriages, who may no longer be recognized as next-of-kin, especially if you have children, get your rights in writing!

Your marriage certificate may not be enough to prove you have rights to make medical decisions for non-biological children or for a same-sex spouse or partner.

Go to a lawyer, get it spelled out as clearly as possible that you have a voice in emergency medical and legal situations.

[asestimationsconsultants]

How a Residential Estimating Service Collaborates with Architects and Interior Designers

In the world of home construction and renovation, the collaboration between different professionals is crucial to ensure a successful project. One of the most important collaborations happens between a residential estimating service, architects, and interior designers. Each of these professionals brings unique skills to the table, but when they work together, the result is a seamless, well-managed project that meets both aesthetic and financial goals.

The Role of the Residential Estimating Service

A residential estimating service is responsible for providing accurate cost estimates for a home construction or renovation project. This includes analyzing blueprints, identifying material and labor costs, calculating potential risks, and predicting the overall cost of the project. An estimator’s primary goal is to offer a reliable budget that reflects the true cost of the work involved, from the foundation to the final touches.

However, the estimating service doesn’t work in isolation. It relies heavily on input from architects and interior designers to provide precise figures and avoid unexpected budget overruns.

Initial Collaboration: Understanding the Design Vision

The first stage of collaboration between the estimating service, architect, and interior designer is crucial to ensure that the design vision is accurately reflected in the budget. Architects focus on the structural design and layout of the home, while interior designers concentrate on aesthetics, functionality, and the materials that will give the home its character.

During the early planning stages, the estimator works closely with both professionals to understand the scope of the project. The estimator needs to know the specific materials, finishes, and design features that the architect and designer envision for the home. For example, if the designer specifies high-end finishes like marble countertops or custom cabinetry, the estimator needs to incorporate these into the cost calculations.

Cost Planning: Translating Design Into Budget

Once the design concepts have been established, the estimating service helps translate these ideas into a concrete budget. This is where the collaboration truly takes shape. The estimator uses the detailed plans from the architect and the material specifications from the interior designer to create a comprehensive estimate that includes all the costs for construction and materials.

For example, if the architect’s design includes an open-concept floor plan with expansive windows, the estimator needs to account for the costs of purchasing and installing these larger, custom windows. The interior designer might specify unique flooring or lighting fixtures that need to be considered in the budget as well.

Throughout this phase, the estimator works alongside the architect and designer to adjust the budget if needed. If any of the proposed materials or designs exceed the budget, the estimator suggests alternatives that still align with the overall vision but are more cost-effective.

Adjusting the Estimate as the Design Evolves

Designs often evolve during the construction process. As the project progresses, the architect and interior designer may introduce changes based on unforeseen challenges or new design ideas. The estimating service must be able to quickly adjust the estimate to reflect these changes, ensuring that the budget remains accurate and realistic.

For instance, if the interior designer changes the selection of materials for flooring or wall finishes midway through the project, the estimator will need to update the cost estimates accordingly. This is a crucial aspect of the estimator’s role—keeping the project on track financially despite these design changes.

Ongoing Communication: Preventing Surprises

The key to successful collaboration between the estimating service, architect, and interior designer is clear and continuous communication. The estimating service should stay in regular contact with both the architect and the designer to ensure that all changes, whether structural or aesthetic, are communicated as soon as possible.

This communication also helps to identify potential issues before they become larger problems. For example, if the interior designer requests a feature that is out of budget, the estimator can flag the issue early and suggest alternatives. Similarly, if the architect discovers an issue with the structural design that could lead to cost overruns, the estimator can adjust the budget to accommodate the change.

By maintaining ongoing communication and fostering an open dialogue, the estimating service can ensure that the project remains within budget and on schedule.

Final Cost Reconciliation

Once the project nears completion, the estimating service plays a crucial role in reconciling the final costs. This involves comparing the original budget with the actual costs incurred during construction and identifying any discrepancies. If costs exceeded the initial estimate, the estimating service works with the architect and designer to determine the cause and find ways to avoid such discrepancies in future projects.

This final reconciliation helps the client understand where the project’s budget went and whether there were any areas where costs could have been better managed.

Benefits of Effective Collaboration

When a residential estimating service, architect, and interior designer collaborate effectively, the benefits are clear. The most obvious benefit is that the project stays within budget. This is critical for homeowners who want to ensure that their vision is brought to life without encountering financial difficulties halfway through the renovation or construction process.

Another benefit is that the collaboration ensures that all parties are aligned on the vision for the home. Architects and interior designers can rest assured that their designs will be realized without financial compromise, while the estimating service can ensure that the project stays within the constraints of the budget.

Lastly, effective collaboration helps to avoid misunderstandings and mistakes that can arise when the professionals involved work in isolation. By sharing information openly and continuously throughout the project, the estimating service, architect, and interior designer can work together to address any challenges and create a beautiful home that meets both the client’s needs and financial limitations.

Conclusion

The role of a residential estimating service is pivotal in the construction and renovation process. However, its success depends on effective collaboration with architects and interior designers. By working together from the outset and maintaining clear communication throughout the project, these professionals ensure that the design vision is realized without compromising the budget. The estimator’s role is to bring the design to life financially, while the architect and interior designer ensure that the final result is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and aligned with the homeowner’s goals.

In the world of home construction, teamwork truly makes the dream work.

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Character Flaws and Their Meanings

Impulsiveness : Acts on instinct without careful planning. Perfectionism : Sets unrealistically high standards, leading to self-criticism. Indecisiveness : Struggles to commit to decisions or choose a path. Arrogance : Overestimates one’s abilities and dismisses others. Pessimism : Habitually expects negative outcomes in most situations. Cynicism : Distrusts the motives and sincerity of others. Overconfidence : Places excessive faith in one’s skills, often underestimating risks. Stubbornness : Resists change and refuses to adapt to new ideas. Jealousy : Feels envious of others' success or possessions. Insecurity : Experiences frequent self-doubt and a lack of confidence. Procrastination : Tends to delay tasks, often leading to missed opportunities. Passivity : Avoids taking initiative and relies on others to act. Aggressiveness : Responds with hostility or force rather than reason. Selfishness : Prioritizes personal gain over the welfare of others. Fragility : Is overly sensitive to criticism and easily discouraged. Egotism : Constantly focuses on oneself and one’s own importance. Defensiveness : Quickly rejects or rationalizes away critique or new information. Manipulativeness : Exploits others to fulfill personal needs or desires. Recklessness : Shows a careless disregard for potential risks or consequences. Resentfulness : Holds lingering bitterness and grudges over perceived wrongs. Distractibility : Finds it hard to maintain focus amid competing interests. Impatience : Lacks the willingness to wait, often spoiling opportunities to learn. Perfunctory : Performs actions in a mechanical, uninspired manner. Self-Doubt : Consistently questions personal abilities and decisions. Arbitraryness : Makes decisions based on whim rather than reason or evidence. Rigidity : Is inflexible and unwilling to consider alternative viewpoints. Gullibility : Trusts too easily, often leading to being misled or deceived. Obsession : Becomes excessively fixated on particular ideas or details. Aloofness : Maintains emotional distance, appearing detached or indifferent. Intolerance : Refuses to accept differing perspectives or lifestyles.

Writing Advice for Brainstorming

Mix genres and time periods: Experiment by combining elements from different eras or genres to create unique settings and narratives.

Use "what if" scenarios: Pose unexpected questions (e.g., What if time travel operated on emotions rather than mechanics?) to spark novel ideas.

Draw from diverse mediums: Engage with art, music, or even scientific papers to inspire unexpected plot twists.

Embrace absurdity: Let illogical or surreal ideas guide you; sometimes the wildest thoughts lead to compelling stories.

Reverse clichés: Identify common tropes in your favorite genres and deliberately invert them to create fresh perspectives.

Incorporate personal anomalies: Transform your idiosyncrasies and personal struggles into rich, multi-dimensional characters.

Use mind-mapping: Visually plot your ideas in a freeform way to uncover hidden connections between disparate elements.

[noirandchocolate]

Several weeks ago one of my coworkers called me over into her cubicle and gave me a very unexpected gift. Her mother passed away recently, and she'd been packing stuff up at her condo to give to relatives and sell, so the home could be sold. The mother was an avid knitter and crocheter, and when my coworker came upon her stash of equipment, she told me, she "immediately thought of me as someone who might get some use out of it."

So, I have inherited a varied collection of knitting needles and crochet hooks, cable needles, sewing needles, and, best of all, now-out-of-print pattern books, mostly for blankets, because that was what this lady loved to make most. Plus, I also have a bunch of gauge swatches she made, pinned to little bits of card covered in perfect schoolteacher handwriting setting out the patterns they were made to test.

And also...

My coworker brought another bag, full of yarn and...knitted blanket squares. Her mother's last started project, before she got too sick to continue. And she asked if there was anything I could do with it.

It turned out, there are twelve completed squares, and I quickly located the pattern book they are from amid those given to me. It's a book of 60 patterns, meant to be put together however the maker wishes into blankets of 20 squares. I figured out which of the numbered patterns were already made, and selected eight more that I thought might go well with them.

So now! I am working on completing! My coworker's mother's last knitting project!

And I really am feeling very good about doing it.

[zillanovikov]

Sad Bastard Expectations

It's 2025, and we're sadder than ever!

Maybe it's time for a Sad Bastard Cookbook sequel? Maybe a spin-off for parents of small children? Maybe both?

I'm new here. What's a Sad Bastard Cookbook?

Glad you asked! We wrote a cookbook full of judgement-free recipes you can make when you're suffering from mental illness, physical disability, poverty, or anything else late-stage capitalism throws up that makes basic self-care feel impossible. Some of the recipes were our own, some we collected from the community.

The ebook is free--you can download a copy here if you wanna check it out.

I'm a community! Or at least, a Person! Can I contribute my recipe for survival food?

YES PLEASE.

If you have a survival recipe that you make for yourself, or to feed a baby, toddler, or small child, please share that recipe here.

I’m a fan of the original Sad Bastard Cookbook—when will the new ones be here?

We really have no idea. We’re in the very early planning and writing stages of the two projects, but when we have more information, you’ll probably see it here first!

[himbosandhardwear]

Steve is rifling through Eddie's collection of magazines, while he's waiting on Eddie and Wayne to get done fixing the dryer(Wayne's fixing, Eddie's getting in the way it sounds like), when he realizes how insane the assortment is; Heavy Metal, Car and Driver, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, OMNI, MAD, even a copy of Good Housekeeping. It's all so Eddie though, to have so many varying interests. He's a little jealous, if he's being honest with himself.

"You have a lot of stuff," he comments when Eddie comes back, closing the copy of Rolling Stone.

"Oh, yeah, sorry, let me just..." He starts kicking a pile of clothes under the bed.

Steve huffs a laugh. "No, I meant you have a lot of interests." He waves the magazine. "Hobbies and stuff."

Eddie nods, continues to shove piles of stuff under the bed anyway. "I guess, yeah. I tend to jump from thing to thing though. Last night it was painting miniatures, tonight it could be writing a song. I don't really get a say in which one. Oh, nice, I've been looking for this," he says, holding up a random T-shirt.

He watches Eddie get distracted by the new discovery and leave the rest of the pile where it's at, smiling to himself as Eddie goes on a tangent about merch vendors at concerts being the real enemy of the people.

"How do you know what you like?" Steve inadvertently blurts out during a gap in Eddie's tale.

He turns toward Steve. "What do you mean?"

What does he mean? "I guess... It's just, I like cars and sports and girls. That's, like, kind of it. And since I started being friends with Henderson and Robin and you I've figured out that's, like, the most basic shit a guy could be into. Level One Dude Interests. So, I guess I just want to know how you find other things? And how will I know if I'm interested?"

"Hmm." He frowns softly. "I've never had to think about it before. I kinda just...fall into things. I like it or I don't."

"Okay, but what's it feel like?"

Eddie puts the shirt down, forgotten again in a moment, and sits. "What does it feel like when you think about cars and sports and girls?"

Steve really thinks about it. Nothing is as consuming as when he was younger, but he does remember a vague sense of excitement, a feeling of connection with the people he surrounded himself with, who shared his interests. But he hasn't felt that in a while. Maybe he wasn't as into those things as he thought, was only into the connection.

"You're having very deep thoughts over there," Eddie points out with a grin.

"Shut up." He grins back. "I think maybe I don't actually know what it feels like to like something because I like it, not just because everyone else likes it. You know what I mean?"

"Well, yes but no." He waves both hands to indicate his person and also the chaos of the room around them.

"See? This is why I'm asking you. If anyone can help me figure out what I like it's you."

Eddie slaps both hands together and rubs. "A project! Excellent idea!"

Wasn't his idea but sure.

"First we have to get you exposure to new things. Movies, TV, music, culture. Then we'll rate how you feel about each demographic. Your music taste is already improving so that's good. Movies, I'm thinking 12 Angry Men to start. Food? Authentic Mexican. We're gonna get you excited about shit!" He seems excited enough for the both of them, which is great. "Excitement is key! You want enthusiasm, yearning even. Your interests should consume your every waking thought. When I'm consuming a new hobby, I'm focused like a shark, I'm obsessed. I go to bed thinking about it and wake up thinking about it. Excited to get back to whatever it is. I wanna talk about it, share it with other people. Complete and total immersion. You wanna marry that interest. You know what I mean?"

Steve blinks at him, stunned into silence. Eddie's just described how Steve feels about him...

Oh.

Oh.

[neunnnnnnn]

I was in the astral realm and I had a talk with my great grandma and she pretty much re assured how real shifting is. She told me how much more we are capable of and blames society for dimming that little light that once made us literally invincible.

She took me through different timelines, and I actually got to see myself in different versions from a librarian to even a politician. And she told me that it isn't really hard to attain it because it's within me, its literally me but just scattered in different dimensions and that becoming it can be as easy as snapping your fingers, if you only look within.

She has reincarnated as a white woman ( this made me laugh my ass off tbh) mostly because she had other dreams she wanted to achieve that she couldn't in her lifetime.

She also found it funny that people are shifting to go to books and tv shows instead of shifting to realities where they are like millionaires or something😂 but what I adore about her is how open and lovely she is. Even when she was alive, you could tell her anything and she would always give you an ear to listen.

Reality is within you, look within.. that's where all your answers are

~Granma

[ettawritesnstudies]

Would anyone be interested if I put together a post on how to write a scientist/engineer/techy/smart-guy type character? What would y'all want to know?

[unofficial-project-2025]

GAY FURRY HACKERS HACKED THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND RELEASED THE FOLLOWING CHAT LOGS. WHAT THE FUCK.

EDIT: https://files.catbox.moe/i0tkbp.txt here's the entire chatlog.

EDIT 2:

Since this post is gaining traction, I'm adding a link to a good summary of Project 2025.

[un-ionizetheradlab]

It makes me so uncomfortable to see people post blatantly anti-Jewish content and then turn right around and stan Jewish historical figures. Like, do they hate us or love us?

[shigeoreum]

Any luck, Mr. Spock?

Some spirk doodles I eked away at over the past several days... was listening to 40's 50's 60's tunes while drawing these so that's the vibe I think ^_^ for the context... they're on some mission IDK LOL

[sinensis26]

I take back what I said earlier: I would absolutely sell my craft creations, and by "sell" I mean "trade for something I equally value". Do you like my punk rock giraffe stuffie? You can have one for $81... or a bag full of coreopsis seeds. A knit fringe lumberjack hat? Thats $195... or a jar of local honey. Ill sew new clothes for all of your kid's dolls, usually $300+ in labor and material, but Id rather they draw me a really cool picture that I can hang on my fridge.

[eduhubspot]

Visualizing Success: Using Strategic Narratives to Create and Communicate a Shared Vision

Introduction

In a world drowning in data and disconnected efforts, there's a powerful tool that can transform how organizations operate: the strategic narrative. Imagine an workplace where every team member isn't just working, but is deeply connected to a shared vision—understanding not just their tasks, but the profound impact of their collective journey.

Strategic narratives are more than words on a page. They're the invisible thread that weaves individual efforts into a coherent, inspiring tapestry of organizational purpose. They turn mundane work into a meaningful mission, transforming employees from mere workers to passionate storytellers of your organization's unique vision.

Understanding Strategic Narratives in Project Management

Defining the Strategic Narrative

A strategic narrative in project management is more than a project charter or a scope document. It's a dynamic, engaging story that:

Explains the project's deeper purpose

Connects individual contributions to organizational goals

Creates emotional engagement and shared commitment

Provides context and meaning beyond technical specifications

The Psychology of Narrative in Project Execution

Neuroscience reveals that humans are fundamentally wired for stories. When project teams are presented with a narrative instead of mere instructions, several psychological mechanisms activate:

Enhanced motivation

Improved information retention

Increased emotional investment

Better collaboration and team cohesion

Key Elements of a Powerful Project Management Narrative

1. Purpose-Driven Storytelling

Go beyond project objectives. Articulate why this project matters. How does it solve real-world problems? What transformation will it enable?

Example:

Weak Narrative: "We're implementing a new CRM system."

Strong Narrative: "We're reimagining customer relationships, empowering our team to create more personalized, meaningful interactions that drive both business growth and customer satisfaction."

2. Stakeholder Journey Mapping

Create a narrative that includes every stakeholder's perspective:

Team members

Executives

Clients

End-users

Show how each group plays a crucial role in the project's success story.

3. Milestone as Story Chapters

Reframe project milestones as narrative chapters:

Initial challenge

Discovery and innovation

Overcoming obstacles

Transformation achieved

Practical Strategies for Developing Project Narratives

Narrative Development Workshops

Gather cross-functional team members

Collectively develop the project's story

Encourage diverse perspectives

Create a shared emotional connection

Communication Techniques

Use storytelling in:

Project kickoff meetings

Regular status updates

Progress presentations

Final project retrospectives

Visualization Tools

Create visual storytelling materials

Use infographics showing project journey

Develop interactive dashboards that tell the project's narrative

Utilize storyboarding techniques

Technology Integration

Modern project management tools now offer narrative-driven features:

AI-powered storytelling assistants

Visual progress tracking

Collaborative narrative development platforms

Sentiment and engagement analytics

Overcoming Common Narrative Challenges

Challenge: Maintaining Narrative Momentum

Strategies:

Regular narrative reinforcement sessions

Celebrate micro-victories

Create storytelling rituals

Encourage team members to share personal project stories

Challenge: Balancing Narrative and Pragmatism

Approach:

Ground narrative in measurable outcomes

Use data to support and validate the story

Ensure narrative doesn't overshadow technical execution

Measuring Narrative Impact

Quantitative and Qualitative Metrics:

Team engagement scores

Project satisfaction surveys

Retention rates

Speed of problem resolution

Innovation metrics

Stakeholder feedback

Case Studies: Narrative-Driven Project Success

Tech Innovation Project

A global software company transformed a complex digital transformation project by crafting a narrative about "democratizing technology access" instead of simply "implementing new systems".

Infrastructure Development

A municipal project reframed road construction from "infrastructure repair" to "building community connections", increasing public support and team motivation.

Future of Project Management Narratives

Emerging Trends:

AI-assisted narrative generation

Real-time narrative adaptation

Immersive storytelling technologies

Personalized project communication

Conclusion

Strategic narratives are not a soft, optional approach. They are a critical strategic lever that can dramatically enhance project performance, team engagement, and organizational success.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Develop a Strategic Narrative?

Typically, 3-6 months of collaborative work, involving deep organizational reflection and iterative refinement.

Can Small Organizations Benefit from Strategic Narratives?

Absolutely! In fact, smaller organizations often have more agility and authenticity in crafting compelling narratives.

How Often Should We Revisit Our Narrative?

Conduct a comprehensive review annually, with smaller quarterly check-ins to ensure ongoing relevance.

What If Our Team is Distributed or Remote?

Digital collaboration tools, video storytelling, and interactive workshops can effectively bridge geographical gaps.

How Do We Get Buy-In from Skeptical Team Members?

Involve diverse voices in narrative development, provide clear examples, and demonstrate tangible benefits through pilot programs.

[starsreality]

THE CHEATCODE TO ALWAYS INDUCING HYPNAGOGIA: