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Communication

Good communication cannot compensate for ‘poor change’ initiatives but conversely poor communication can severely affect the perception and feel of ‘good change’.

Communications Planning should be started at project outset and/or project outset and throughout. It can be used to support targeted and timely communications and will provide the appropriate levels of information to meet the needs and address the concerns of all Stakeholders identified. A communication plan encompasses objectives, goals, and methodology for all communications. Effective communications need to be planned and can be used to:

  • Set and manage expectations
  • Provide updates on what you are doing
  • Build ideas and participation
  • Improve adoption of change and ultimately its success.
  • Celebrate successes!

Communications Plan Template

A Communications Plan is an excel template which can be used to record key information about stakeholder communication requirements for an initiative.

Click the DOWNLOAD button to access the Communication Plan template

DOWNLOAD

 

Hints & Tips

  • Start the Communications plan at the outset.
  • Revisit the compelling need for the change at every opportunity.
  • Ensure it is 2-way and provide a clear & visible feedback process.
  • Test and pilot communications with target groups.
  • Use a variety of methods but link with a common theme.
  • Do not communicate everything to everyone, target the right people at the right time.
  • Review the success of the communications and change the approach if needed.
  • Ensure that there are no communication voids to reduce the space for rumours.
  • Please refer to the Stakeholder Mapping page for the Stakeholder Radar and Power v's Interest Stakeholder Analysis tools to aid planning