CLINICAL TRIAL COMMUNICATION

PLAN TEMPLATE

[Sponsor Name]

CLINICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION PLAN for

[PROTOCOL NAME]

Situation Analysis

Write two or three paragraphs that describe the high-level overview of the clinical research. Include pertinent facts or data and briefly address the intended outcomes of this plan.

Risk Analysis (SWOT)

Understand the strengths and weaknesses (resources and experience), identify opportunities, and acknowledge the threats to the success of the research (something you may not be able to control).

Strengths

How do people benefit from this research?

How do we do it better?

Weaknesses

What are some of the disadvantages you face as you try to promote this research?

Opportunities

What trends can you change or improve?

What is a good outcome?

Threats

What are the obstacles to success?

What could potentially go wrong?

All Target Audiences

Be specific.

Fill in the groups below that are participating in the clinical study.

Communication Goals

Describe with a big-picture statement. Limit to one to three goals.

*Next, develop strategic communication, key messages, and tactics for each audience.*

Target Audience 1: (Name of Audience)

AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION

Describe the audience for your plan.

Strategic Communication Objectives

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

What are the benefits you want to impart to the specific audience?

What is the outcome you want to achieve?

Objectives should be specific, measurable, realistic, and timed.

Key Messages

Create specific key messages for this audience. Tailor your messages to the needs of the specific audience. Use plain language. Speak to the reader/hearer directly. Put them first, not your topic.

Tactics

What specific activities will you initiate to work toward meeting your objectives for this audience? This is the place to brainstorm all the possible ideas for relaying your message to your audiences in a variety of ways. Take time to develop ideas. Think of how your target audience gets information and brainstorm how you can reach them in those credible ways.

Target Audience 2: (Name of Audience)

AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION

Describe the audience for your plan.

Strategic Communication Objectives

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

What are the benefits you want to impart to the specific audience?

What is the outcome you want to achieve?

Objectives should be specific, measurable, realistic, and timed.

Key Messages

Create specific key messages for this audience. Tailor your messages to the needs of the specific audience. Use plain language. Speak to the reader/hearer directly. Put them first, not your topic.

Tactics

What specific activities will you initiate to work toward meeting your objectives for this audience? This is the place to brainstorm all the possible ideas for relaying your message to your audiences in a variety of ways. Take time to develop ideas. Think of how your target audience gets information and brainstorm how you can reach them in those credible ways.

Target Audience 3: (Name of Audience)

AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION

Describe the audience for your plan.

Strategic Communication Objectives

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

What are the benefits you want to impart to the specific audience?

What is the outcome you want to achieve?

Objectives should be specific, measurable, realistic, and timed.

Key Messages

Create specific key messages for this audience. Tailor your messages to the needs of the specific audience. Use plain language. Speak to the reader/hearer directly. Put them first, not your topic.

Tactics

What specific activities will you initiate to work toward meeting your objectives for this audience? This is the place to brainstorm all the possible ideas for relaying your message to your audiences in a variety of ways. Take time to develop ideas. Think of how your target audience gets information and brainstorm how you can reach them in those credible ways.

Target Audience 4: (Name of Audience)

AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION

Describe the audience for your plan.

Strategic Communication Objectives

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

What are the benefits you want to impart to the specific audience?

What is the outcome you want to achieve?

Objectives should be specific, measurable, realistic, and timed.

Key Messages

Create specific key messages for this audience. Tailor your messages to the needs of the specific audience. Use plain language. Speak to the reader/hearer directly. Put them first, not your topic.

Tactics

What specific activities will you initiate to work toward meeting your objectives for this audience? This is the place to brainstorm all the possible ideas for relaying your message to your audiences in a variety of ways. Take time to develop ideas. Think of how your target audience gets information and brainstorm how you can reach them in those credible ways.

Target Audience 5: (Name of Audience)

AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION

Describe the audience for your plan.

Strategic Communication Objectives

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

What are the benefits you want to impart to the specific audience?

What is the outcome you want to achieve?

Objectives should be specific, measurable, realistic, and timed.

Key Messages

Create specific key messages for this audience. Tailor your messages to the needs of the specific audience. Use plain language. Speak to the reader/hearer directly. Put them first, not your topic.

Tactics

What specific activities will you initiate to work toward meeting your objectives for this audience? This is the place to brainstorm all the possible ideas for relaying your message to your audiences in a variety of ways. Take time to develop ideas. Think of how your target audience gets information and brainstorm how you can reach them in those credible ways.

Timeline

Include important events, due dates for mailings, and other timed activities that will be helpful to keep track of important deliverable dates.

Budget

Estimate costs for materials or any planned advertising expenses to help you give your supervisor a picture of the financial commitment your plan represents. This is a planning number, so do your best to make an estimate. Stating “no funds have been appropriated for materials” provides no information and is not helpful in demonstrating the estimated costs and financial commitment.

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