Free Communication Plan Templates

When writing a strategic communication plan, first decide on your goals. Next, consider what you need to communicate and to whom. Then write and obtain approval for your message. Finally, create a schedule and share your message with the team.

Your plan will vary, depending on your specific circumstances, but expect to follow these steps:

1. Establish Your Communication Needs
   Figure out what you require in order to communicate important messages within your organization: What types of technology do you need to share information? With whom do you need to share information? What is the appropriate tone for sharing information? By answering these questions, you gain a firm grasp of what you need before you move on to the next step. 
2. Decide on Your Communication Goals
   Determine what you want to say, to whom you want to say it, and how and why you want to say it. Write down the answers to these questions. Stay focused on your communication goals by making sure that you don’t include redundant or unnecessary information. Follow these steps to create the basis of your written plan. 
3. Develop a Communication Schedule
   Establish the time frame of your project. Is it a short- or long-term project? An ongoing project requires consistent, recurring updates; a short-term project requires only a few updates (e.g., at the outset of the project, at the midway point, and at the conclusion). Once you determine the frequency of your communication, then you can pinpoint the timing of your updates based on the nature of your content. Deliver a recap or a low-priority message at or near the end of the week; share an important message early in the week or at a team meeting. Follow these steps to develop a precise communication schedule. 
4. Consolidate Information into One Document
   Adapt one of the templates on this page to meet your needs. Once you’ve done so, make sure the entire team has access to the document. That way, you can ensure that everyone is working in lockstep.