Communicating the Plan
There are many times throughout the development of an improvement plan when state staff should consider processes for effective communication. Such processes help to ensure that those developing and implementing the improvement and evaluation plans and those impacted by the plans can communicate easily. Appropriate and timely communication also allows for refinements to the plan throughout development and implementation, ultimately ensuring the success and sustainability of the activities.
This section outlines steps, purposes, and resources in two subsections:
- Development of communication activities within the improvement plan; and
- Communication of completed Phase II plans.
The "plan" referenced throughout includes both the improvement plan and the evaluation plan components of the overall SSIP.
Key Considerations for Communication Activities
- Do activities reflect communication in all directions (i.e., activities supporting communication from multiple stakeholders to the state and vice versa)?
- Has sufficient time been allocated to request, gather, synthesize, and use input for each activity?
Developing Communication Activities
Step 1. Establish and document communication protocols for the SSIP team.
Purpose
- Establish a transparent communication process.
- Provide clear expectations and responsibilities for team members.
- Establish how the team communicates internally, with external stakeholders, and with the broader public.
- Document how communication is facilitated and how frequently it should occur.
Step 2. Document the mission and purpose of the communication with external stakeholders.
Purpose
- Define the goals and reasons for communicating SSIP activities.
Step 3. Identify stakeholder groups that need to be involved in each improvement strategy.
Purpose
- Ensure that the SSIP process will have input and feedback from diverse partners.
- Document stakeholder involvement for OSEP.
Step 4. Identify existing communication supports and resources within the state.
Purpose
- Build upon existing resources.
Resources
- Existing state communications and online support.
Step 5. Develop communication processes in order to share progress between groups and receive input from stakeholder groups and public audiences.
Purpose
- Provide opportunities for feedback from groups that haven’t been represented on SSIP work teams.
- Ensure stakeholders are responsible for communicating progress and gathering feedback from the groups they represent (or other groups as assigned).
- Integrate feedback into plans prior to submitting to OSEP.
Communicating Completed Plans
When thinking about communicating the completed Phase II SSIP document, strategies must go beyond dissemination. Communication should incorporate continual feedback loops that include sharing and receiving information.
The following steps describe the milestones of communicating completed improvement and evaluation plans. These steps, purposes, and resources for communicating completed plans support meaningful interaction with stakeholders and the development of a high-quality Phase II SSIP.
Step 1. Plot the communication strategies used so far to communicate with stakeholders and the public.
Purpose
- Become aware of the types and levels of strategies that are used.
- Build upon existing resources.
- Identify any biases in communication strategies.
Resources
- Leading by Convening: One-Way and Two-Way Learning (see pg. 6-7)
Step 2. With core stakeholders, plan and co-create the messages to be conveyed.
Purpose
- Use a consistent message about what the SSIP is, how the state is planning to roll it out and the role of stakeholders and the public.
- Include core features, components and expected outcomes of any new practices or systems to be implemented.
Resources
- Template for Strategic Communications Plan (see pg. 8-11)
Step 3. Strategize communication channels needed to reach intended audiences.
Purpose
- Intentionally select communication channels (e.g. print, online, presentations) in order to reach targeted stakeholders and public audiences.
Step 4. Create a list of stakeholder groups/public that have not yet been engaged so that they have opportunities to provide feedback for the plans.
Purpose
- Use existing stakeholders to identify whose input is missing.
Step 5. Develop feedback loops for dissemination of completed plans and receipt of feedback.
Purpose
- Provide opportunities for stakeholder groups and public audiences to interact with and respond to the plans (e.g., encourage stakeholders and champions to engage the groups they represent).
- Ensure that the feedback that is being submitted is intentionally considered and integrated.
- Create a process where stakeholders who have provided input can see that their input was considered and, if appropriate, how it was used.
Step 6. Develop a timeline for communication of the completed plan, including allowance for time needed for public feedback.
Purpose
- Provide adequate time to communicate and receive feedback on the completed plan.