Communication planning

Communication planning is figuring out how to communicate important messages to key stakeholders of an organization in the most effective way possible.

Communication planning, while often overlooked, is an important business function that can become urgent; for example:

• in change management situations where communication can counter the anxiety triggered by organizational changes
• in crisis management such as the Tylenol scare or the Union Carbide Bhopal incident

Communication plans may be internal or external in focus. For instance:

• Internal: rolling out a new benefit program to the employees of the business
• External: letting the shareholders know about a new stock offering; letting customers know about a new product offering

Elements of organizational communication planning include:

• credibility
• message
• channel
• audience
• timing
• effectiveness

Also see

• public relations
• media relations