The fundamental importance of effective communication cannot be overstated. We have all experienced moments of confusion, and even anxiety, as a result of poor communication. Inside a complex organization communication becomes even more powerful–It is the primary means to motivate and engage a diverse workforce to collaborate, innovate and succeed.
When we work as consultants, we have to be effective and efficient at developing and using communication plans to clarify and align efforts, recognize and reward achievement, build a sense of urgency, and empower others to maximize engagement. Since communication is the basis of all human understanding, consulting and collaboration require thoughtful attention to the audience, content, objectives, and mode of critical messages. We use a simple matrix, The Communications Planning Tool to organize our communication efforts and minimize confusion and ambiguity.
There are many different versions of this tool. We use this simple format to clarify the critical audiences for information along with specific details about the objective of our messaging, the content of the message, what media is appropriate, and who will deliver the message. This kind of proactive planning takes time up front in any project, but in the end you save time by maximizing influence and minimizing confusion. Let us know how you use this tool or similar tools on your project work.