Communications Audit

WHAT IS IT? The communication audit is qualitative research designed to help you and your organization learn what your stakeholders know about your work. The audit also identifies how your stakeholders perceive your goals, challenges and mission. The audit tells you how staff and clients want to be informed and engaged in these issues and how your organization can improve their communications.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS? A communication audit conducts individual interviews, small discussion groups and reviews your organization's interpersonal, print and electronic communications. Individual interviews are conducted with your organization's key leaders including any elected officials. Individual focus groups are held with groups of staff members, community leaders, special interest groups, interested citizens, and your critics.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN? We analyze the data and provide a written report. From the report you will learn whether you are providing information that your staff finds useful and in language, formats and settings that work best for your employees and clients. You will also learn what decision-making processes are working well and what team building strategies will enhance your credibility. A communication audit can strengthen your overall communication and engagement efforts by enhancing what you do well and identifying areas of improvement. The end result is a foundation of client support that allows you to stay focused on meeting your goals.

WHAT'S NEXT? The audit sets the stage for a second task: helping you set communications goals. This means getting clear about who needs to be engaged and how and what needs to be communicated and to whom, communications training for organizational leaders, board members and staff, and design work for print and electronic communications.