TOPIC: Difference between push and pull communication

Please can you clarify what the difference is between push and pull communication? It seems that depending on where you are (receiver or sender), the definitions vary. I found this sample question online and almost thought it was push (I am pushing the information to an audience and I expect them to pull it at their own discretion). Can you please clarify?

The type of Communication Methods tool that uses very large volume of information ,or for very large audience, and requires the recipients to access the communication content at their own discretion is called

Interactive Communication
Pull Communication
Push Communication
None of the above

Answer: C

Hi Oluwafunmilola. This is a tricky question designed to make you choose the wrong answer. You will see that the key phrase in the question is "access the communication content at their own discretion". This is definitely Pull.

When advertisements come into your email inbox, think of that as push communication as the company is pushing out information to their customers. When you go to a CNN.com website and you read the news, think of that as pull communication as you are pulling information at your discretion.

Hi there,

Please always let us know from which source you have a question, because we take
Copyright very serious!

Regarding your question, in the Knowledge Area "Project Communication Management" in the PMBOK
Chapter 10.1.2.4 Communication Methods defines the following:

Push communication
Sent to specific recipients who need to recheive the information. This ensures that the information is distributed but does not
ensure that it actually reached or was understood by intended audience. Push communication include letters, memos, reports, emails, faxes, voice mails, blogs, press releases, etc.

Pull communication
Used for very large volumes of information, or for very large audience, and requires the recipient to acess the communication content at their own discretion.These methods include intranet sites, e-learning, lessons learned database, knowledge respositories, etc.

Cheers
Sven

Oluwafunmilola, your question is a great example of the types of questions that you will come across during the exam. They are designed to make you think very hard about the answer when in reality, the answers can be rather forthright. It's good to learn this type of difficulty now before exam and I want to highlight Brett's response to you because it's exactly on point. I'm confident you know the definitions of key project management terms and the questions on exams will often have those definitions weaved into them. Always try to see those definitions in the question and you'll more than likely choose the right answer in the options below.

Best of Luck
Michael

Many thanks. It makes more sense to me now

Good answer...tq mate

All,

I have a similar question... the answer the simulator provides for the following question is "A. Pull communication"
but per the Knowledge Area "Project Communication Management" in the PMBOK Chapter 10.1.2.4 Communication Methods defines the following:
"Push communication" specifically mentions "...blogs, press releases, etc."

Here is the question:
There are several communication methods used to share and distribute information to stakeholders, team members and management. Which of the following communication methods are used during execution phase to notify the public about environmental changes your project is going to cause after implementation?

A. Pull communication
B. Interactive communication
C. Informal communication
D. Push communication

Appreciate any feedback on this.

Thanks,
Steven

Answer: A

great answer

There are 3 Communication Methods
- Interactive Communication
- Pull Communication
- Push Communication

Interactive communication takes place real time (mostly face to face)
Pull communication is not face to face. Mostly you use a data base or share point. You don' t expect an immediate response.
Push communication is via letters emails etc.
You can read this article for more information. Communication Methods Interactive vs Push vs Pull

Cheers Sven x

Thanks. Reading carefully, the answer is in the question.