<<Project Name>>

Communications Plan

Customer Name

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Author
Author Position
Date

Version: 1.0

The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.

This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.

Microsoft and Visual Basic are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft in the United States and/or other countries.

Revision & Sign-off Sheet

Change Record

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Author
Creation Date
Last Updated

Description: The Communication Plan describes how the project will establish a reliable means of assuring visibility and co-operation by communicating status and news about the project to all appropriate stakeholders. It describes:

The Communication Plan identifies the processes, methods, and tools required to ensure timely and appropriate collection, distribution, and management of project information for all project participants.

Justification: Effective communication among the project teams and with the customer ensures that all project participants are well informed and have the necessary information from which to make decisions. The results of effective communication include:

{Team Role Primary: Product Management is primarily responsible for the communication plan. This role facilitates communication between decision makers among the project and between the project and external parties.

Team Role Secondary: Program Management, Development, Test, User Experience, and Release Management all need to understand the communication plan as a success factor of the project. This sets appropriate expectations and provides avenues for communication between team members.}]

Summary

Justification: Some readers may need to know only the plan’s highlights, and summarizing creates that user view. It also enables the full reader to know the essence of the document before they look at the details.]

Objectives

[Description: The Objectives section identifies the purpose of the plan in terms of what the project’s communication process is to accomplish. Communication objectives may include subjects such as timeliness, security, breadth of communication, etc. This section may also contain a description of the environmental conditions that demand specific communication approaches and objectives.

Justification: Identifying Communication Objectives ensures that the team has carefully considered the project’s situation and created an appropriate communication approach.]

Confidential and Sensitive Information

[Description: The Confidential and Sensitive Information section provides general guidance on disclosing information. It should identify any specific project members who will provide direction in this area when questions arise.

Justification: Certain project and/or technical information may be confidential or sensitive to the project or to certain persons or companies within the project. Care should be applied to not divulge such information.]

Internal Reporting

[Description: The Internal Reporting section identifies the mechanisms and organization structure for normal and ad hoc project reporting.

Justification: Clear articulation of communication responsibilities ensures that information is created and distributed to support efficient project activity.]

Internal Communication Map

[Description: The Internal Communication Map identifies audience, information subject, communication method, communication timing/frequency, and originator. This map can be developed in the form of a matrix.]

Project News & Briefings

[Description: The Project News and Briefings section describes how ad hoc communication that doesn't fall into the defined communication map will occur. This includes news bulletins or subject specific briefings.]

External Communication

[Description: The External Communication section identifies how communication will occur with any external organizations not directly involved with the project. Do not include organizations that have signed Non Disclosure Agreements.]

Publicity

[Description: The Publicity section describes any anticipated or planned publicity for the project. It identifies the nature of the information and its audience. This section should also include a description of the approach taken for externally originated.]

External Inquiries

[Description: The External Inquiries section provides guidance on how external contacts should be handled. This includes the identification of the primary person to whom all external inquiries should be passed.]

External Communication Map

[Description: The External Communication Map identifies audience, information subject, communication method, communication timing/frequency, and originator. This map can be developed in the form of a matrix.]