Communications plan

Title of project:

(Insert title – Communications plan title)

Purpose and background:

(State the purpose of the communications plan and the background. What key events have led to this point? The WHY of communications.)

Communications objectives:

(State your communications objectives – what outcomes are sought. Be specific, ensure they are measurable and time bound. The WHAT.)

Issues (SWOT analysis):

(List the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats – this is a situational analysis and is an important part of your communications plan. Why is this communication important and what are the positive and negative facts relating to your proposed communication? The WHY.)

Audience:

(List the people/groups who will be consulted and identify and describe any key values and perspectives of these people/groups. Be inclusive – WHO.)

Key messages:

(Provide a clear, succinct statement of the key things you wish to communicate. WHAT.)

How to consult:

Do you know HOW the various groups in your audience wish to be consulted? Are there any communications strategies or MoUs already? (Write in any policy/strategy of how various groups want to be consulted.)

Communications strategy:

(Provide a list of your tactics and how you will achieve your communications objectives. Provide details of how long it will take to achieve each step in the process. Who will be involved/what resources will be needed? HOW.)

Questions to consider:

• What will you do to achieve effective communications? (Describe the sequence of steps involved in your communications strategy)
• When will you do it? (Indicate the time required to undertake the different steps)
• Resources you will need (Provide a list of resources required in each step. Include staff resources, including who is responsible, and any other resources required)

Evaluation:

(State how you will evaluate the success of your communications – consider qualitative as well as any quantitative measures.)

Source: Karen Bell, Enviro Solutions NZ Ltd, 2001