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To see completed examples, click here: Project Communication Plan Completed Examples

For communication tips, click here: Project Communication Tips

Why do a Project Communication Plan? 

The Project Communication Plan promotes engagement with the sponsor, senior management and the project team.  It also gives your project “cover”. Project communications focus on project priorities and deliverables, as well as risks and issues with the project. Project communications include the project scope, sponsor updates, steering committee meetings, IS&T project reviews, the project plan itself, status reports that the team distributes to one another, and project team meetings and minutes.

Steps:

Panel
  1. IDENTIFY: Map the key groups that are involved in the project at different level
  2. ANALYZE: Determine what form of communication and frequency is desirable for each group or method of communication
  3. ENGAGE: Develop and execute communication strategy for each group based on the matrix below

What Makes a Good Communication Plan?

  • Specific audiences are identified (project team, steering committee, customers...)
  • Communications matrix clearly identifies the following for each audience:
    1. Type of communication they will receive (status report, status meeting...)
    2. Purpose of the communication (provide detailed status of project progress....)
    3. Owner (person responsible) of the communication
    4. Frequency at which the audience will receive the particular communication (weekly, monthly...)
    5. The medium to be used to communicate the message (email, live meeting...)

(lightbulb) Communication Plans ensure the right people get involved in the project and are kept up to date.

Project Communication Plan Matrix*

Beginning of the Project

What

Who/Target

Purpose

When/Frequency

Type/Method

Initiation  Meeting

IS&T project team and Associate Director

Review business case and ensure internal alignment.

Before project start date

Meeting

Project Kick Off

Sponsor, Business Owner, project team and stakeholders

Communicate plans and stakeholder roles/responsibilities. Outline roadmap of project. Encourage communication among stakeholders.

At or near project start date

Meeting (see Project Kick Off Checklist)

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