Developing a Strategic Communication Plan
Situational Analysis Research and Interpretation
In interpreting and researching for the situational analysis in my town I would utilize qualitative research to gather information in regarding the weaknesses, concerns, threats as well as strength and then analyze the information acquired using SWOT analysis. The analysis would help in the identification of internal and exterior factors that exists within the department and outside (Clarke, Friese & Washburn, 2015). Qualitative research would entail the use of interviews and questionnaires distribution using open and closed queries for maximum information to be obtained. The participants would be officers within the department and city residents.
Goals and objectives
The primary aim of the communication plan is to promote and facilitate communication amid internal as well as external shareholders, offer, maintain and offer support to the communication apparatuses more. The target group for the plan is the police department’s officers and external and internal stakeholders. The plan has the following specific objectives:
Proactive communication which opposes the reactive strategy, to carry out a communication initiative that builds communication channels and the necessary tools for achieving the purposes.
Create a two-way communication in that the department will not communicate to only its shareholders but it will also be obligated to listen to their feedbacks which will create more open, caring and responsive communication on the well-being of those being served.
Miscommunication will also be corrected and evaluation of all the communication apparatus will be done occasionally and changes made based on the acquired feedbacks.
In addition, the plan is also objected at offering the good reputation of the police department by encouraging positivity.
Communication Strategies
The primary strategies of communication that will be utilized within the proposed plan are both external and internal based. Both strategies increase efficiency (Patterson, Radtke & Radtke, 2009).The internal strategies include; are one-on-one communication, emailing, officers forums, social media updates that will ensure that the members are informed fully, anonymous surveys which will be utilized in assessing communication within the department, press releases, annual reports, daily informants, monthly newsletters, and intranet. On the other hand, the external strategies will include; community forums, social media, satisfactory surveys done in the community, press releases, informant, monthly newspapers, media outlets, survey’s findings and educational research.
City’s Strategic Communication Plan Steps
The communication plan will be designed in several steps to ensure that the goal of enhancing the community’s and the shareholder's wellness is sustained. This will begin with the designing of specific objectives that are achievable, time framed and measurable. In addition, the stakeholders and both external and outside tools for communication will be established to ensure that there are effective means to offer support and encourage consistent communication within the whole department. This will be followed by defining and interpreting the communication crisis that is present within the department for solutions to be implemented. The next step will be the monitoring and assessment of the communication tools and identify future possibilities regarding communication.
Steps;
- Setting objectives
- Identification of internal and external communication tools
- Identification of the existing communication crisis
- Monitoring and assessment
References
Clarke, A. E., Friese, C., & Washburn, R. (2015). Situational analysis in practice: Mapping research with grounded theory.
Patterson, S. J., Radtke, J. M., & Radtke, J. M. (2009). Strategic communications for nonprofit organizations: Seven steps to creating a successful plan. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
