When should I use a communication plan?

Communicating effectively with colleagues can make the difference between an initiative or critical message succeeding or failing, particularly if you work in a large organisation or one where colleagues are dispersed across many different offices.

It is worth spending time putting a formal plan together for any of the following types of project:

1. •

   roll-out of a new or updated policy to your business

2. •

   implementation and training on a new system or procedure

3. •

   breaking difficult news, such as relocation or redundancy

4. •

   communicating critical messages, eg in a crisis situation—see also Practice Note: Managing communications in a crisis

Key