Communication planning

Planning how to share government information helps reach more people effectively. A good communication plan considers different ways people get and understand information about public services.

Key elements of effective communication planning:

• Message focus: Clear statements about services, deadlines, or changes that help people take needed actions
• Channel selection: Mix of digital platforms, printed materials, and in-person events to reach different groups
• Timing strategy: Careful scheduling of updates to give people enough time to understand and respond
• Audience mapping: Understanding which groups need what information and how they prefer to receive it
• Resource allocation: Planning for translation services, accessibility tools, and different format options
• Feedback loops: Ways for people to ask questions and share concerns about the information
• Risk management: Backup plans for sharing urgent updates if main communication channels fail
• Success metrics: Clear ways to measure if people are getting and understanding the information
• Team roles: Who handles different parts of communication delivery and response
• Update schedule: Regular review points to check if the plan needs adjustments