Communication

Every project of this magnitude is dependent upon consistent, structured communication to deliver and receive critical information.  To facilitate project success, it is vital to ensure that effective communication processes are in place to disseminate information and receive feedback from users, participants, and other project stakeholders. A solid communication plan provides guidelines and a beginning point to expand upon as implementation progresses. As the project unfolds, additional areas of communication will likely be identified and new elements of the communication plan may be developed.

In developing a communication plan, The Orange Grove had several key objectives:

• Identify audiences for project communication by sector.
• Identify the communication/organizational structure of the project.
• Identify each audience’s communication needs.
• Plan for communication content and channels that will result in desired behaviors.
• Define roles and responsibilities for funding, preparation, and dissemination of the various project communications.
• Provide a means for feedback and improvement for project communication.

The Orange Grove also identified a number of communication tools that would facilitate the dissemination of information:

• Newsletters, targeted emails, and websites. Consortium and project staff members use newsletters, emails, and websites to disseminate information about the Repository.  Information and problem reporting structures on Consortium and Repository websites allow input from users.


• Marketing materials. A variety of marketing materials have been planned to promote recognition of the Repository and to facilitate access by users. These will be specified in marketing plans as the project is funded.


•  Presentations. Presentations are currently made statewide and regionally by the Repository Project Director and Executive Director of the Consortium. These are used to disseminate information and to receive input from attendees. Input is used to refine communication plans and to improve future presentations
  
  In addition, efforts are currently underway to present to key Department of Education contacts and to solicit their suggestions for additional stakeholder events that might provide an opportunity to learn about user needs as well as to disseminate information about the Repository project.