Strategic Communications Plan

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Due Week 4, worth 150 points

The ability to effectively communicate is one of the most in demand and sought
after skills in today’s workforce. As a business professional, you will be
expected to not only communicate in a clear and concise way, but to do so
strategically. These communication skills are necessary to manage personnel
effectively and to drive your organization toward its strategic goals and
outcomes. Effective communication starts with planning. By developing a
strategic communications plan you will be more intentional in your messages
and the actions you ask of your audience. This plan is the foundation for
Assignments 2 and 3.

INSTRUCTIONS

Create a written strategic communications plan for the professional communi-
cation challenge or opportunity of your choice. Your plan should include the
following components and may be written in a professional report format. See
the formatting requirements for additional information.

1. Description
a) What is your challenge or opportunity?
b) Why is this professionally important to you?

2. Goal
a) What goal or outcome do you want to achieve with

this communication?

3. Audience
a) Who is your target audience?

i. What are the professional positions of the
audience members?

ii. What demographic characteristics will the
audience comprise?

iii. What is your relationship to the audience?
iv. What background knowledge and expertise does

the audience have?
v. What does the audience know, feel about, and expect

concerning this communication?
vi. What preconceptions or biases do you possess

that might prevent you from building rapport

with your audience?
b) What information is available about your audience?

i. What research/sources will you use to obtain information
about the audience?

ii. What conclusions have you been able to draw about
the audience?

c) What tone will you use to convey your message?
i. Is the setting casual or formal?
ii. Is the communication personal or impersonal?

4. Key Message
a) What is the primary message you must convey to

your audience?
i. Is the message compelling and memorable?
ii. Is the message clear and concise?
iii. Is the message aligned with your audience’s goals

and needs?
5. Supporting Points

a) What three to four points, reasons, or justifications
support your message?

i. What research/sources will you use to obtain facts/data
about your message?

6. Channel Selection
a) What communication style will you employ

(Tell/Sell or Consult/Join), and why?
b) What channel(s) will you use to deliver your message,

and why will they be the most effective?
c) What purpose is served by each channel you have selected?

7. Action Request
a) Is your call to action you are making to your audience clear,

concise, and easily actionable?

Note: You may create and establish all necessary assumptions needed for the
completion of this assignment. The scenario is yours to explain.

PROFESSIONAL AND APA FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

Your assignment must follow these general APA formatting requirements:
Your document must be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12),
with one-inch margins on all sides.
Resources must be cited using in-text citations and a reference list.
Your document must include a cover page containing the title of the
assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title,

and the date.

Professional report format may be used. This includes the use of
headers, single spacing, no paragraph indents, and use of bullet
point lists. It should be skimmable.