The importance of clear, consistent communication between contract research organisations (CRO), sponsors and trial sites cannot be stressed enough. Effective collaboration between all contributors to a clinical trial is vital to ensure that differing needs and priorities are accommodated, from designing a project plan and setting milestones to establishing escalation pathways and driving timelines. Laura Tomat, Senior Director Clinical and Project Management at Indero, explores three critical aspects of communication in clinical research; the economics of communication, optimised delivery channels, and personalised communication in this article by Journal for Clinical Studies.