The key difference between formal and informal communication is that formal communication happens through pre-defined or official channels, whereas informal communication does not use pre-defined or official channels.
Formal communication is reliable and confidential, but informal communication is not so. The process of informal communication is rapid, and people get a chance to speak freely and voluntarily.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Formal Communication
3. What is Informal Communication
4. Formal vs Informal Communication in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Formal vs Informal Communication
What is Formal Communication
Formal communication is the exchange of information officially. It is also known as ‘official communication’. In this type of communication, information is transmitted through proper official channels and routes. Therefore, it is also called ‘Through Proper Channel Communication’. The prime aim of formal communication is to successfully carry out the organizational objectives. This communication method is effective and saves time because of its systematic flow of communication.
However, there are rigid rules and regulations in this type of communication. The process of formal communication is slow and time-consuming but reliable. Formal communication happens through pre-defined channels. Often, this type of communication happens through a written medium so that there is evidence of the information which was transmitted.
Examples of Formal Communication
- Meetings
- Reports
- Official documents
- Legal and commercial notices
- Publications
Types of Formal Communication
- Vertical communication – takes place at organizational levels. Usually from juniors to the team members and then to the manager. There are two types: Upward communication (messages are transmitted from lower to higher levels. From subordinates to the superiors) and Downward communication – messages are transmitted from higher to lower levels. From superiors to the subordinates
- Horizontal communication – communication between employees of the same levels at different departments and among peers
- Diagonal communication – communication between employees of different levels at different departments
What is Informal Communication?
Informal communication is the exchange of information that does not use formal methods or pre-defined channels. This is also known as ‘grapevine communication’. The main aim of informal communication is to fulfil personal interests and needs. In this method, people communicate freely without any rules and regulations. Informal communication is spontaneous and flexible. This process is speedy, but the information transmitted is unreliable. There is no evidence of the messages conveyed here because it is often oral communication that occurs. In addition, there is no secrecy nor any systematic flow in informal communication.
Examples of Informal Communication
- Talking to family members
- Talking to friends
- Chatting in social gatherings
- Passing notes on personal matters
Types of Informal Communication
- Single chain- passing a message from person to person. A→B→C
- Gossip chain – a person passes a message to several people, and they pass it to several others
- Probability chain -a random process based on the law of probability – some people will be informed and some will not
- Cluster chain – one or few people begin a trend, and the others follow it
What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Communication?
Formal communication is the exchange of information officially, whereas informal communication is the exchange of information that does not use formal methods or pre-defined channels. The key difference between formal and informal communication is that formal communication occurs through pre-defined or official channels, while informal communication does not use pre-defined or official channels. Moreover, formal communication is time-consuming but efficient, reliable, and confidential, whereas informal communication is less effective, less reliable, less confidential, yet rapid in transferring information.
The following infographic lists the differences between formal and informal communication in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Formal vs Informal Communication
Formal communication is the exchange of information officially. It uses official channels and routes. This method has a systematic flow of communication and often happens through a written medium. Formal communication is time-consuming but efficient, reliable, and confidential. Informal communication is the exchange of information that does not use formal methods or pre-defined channels. This method does not use a systematic flow of communication. This method is also less effective, less reliable, less confidential, yet rapid in transferring information. The verbal method is often used in informal communication. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between formal and informal communication.
Reference:
1. “Formal Communication Methods.” Skillmaker.
2. “Informal Communication: Meaning, Purpose and Importance.” Your Article Library, 19 Dec. 2015.