How to Create a Good Communication Plan for Your Project

The importance of communication should not be undermined in any project. It is vital to many projects and flawed communication can doom a project. Here are suggestions for creating a good communication plan for a project.

1. Assign responsibility for communication

This is usually the role of the project manager, but the project manager may assign this responsibility to a dedicated communication manager.

2. Create key messages.

What are the main messages about the project you want to convey?

3. Identify the various stakeholders.

Who needs to be in the loop for matters relating to the project?

4. Identify the core events on the project. These are events that stakeholders need to be prepared for or aware of.

5. Develop a communications activity list. Cross reference the core events to the stakeholders involved. Determine what actions need to be undertaken and when to communicate such information.

6. Determine the communication channels.

What is the best way for these communication activities? Sometimes one-to-one conversations may be more effective than sending emails. Presentations and meetings has to be set up to convey information.

7. Review and amend the communication plan regularly.

All communications must be dynamic. Unexpected situations may arise at any point during your project. As the project manager, you must be well-equipped to handle any changes to the plan.