Optimized Communication Management (OCM) and Communication Planning

Optimized Communication Management (OCM) and Communication Planning

In today's complex and dynamic world, effective communication is the lifeblood of successful organizations. Optimized Communication Management (OCM) is an approach that ensures clear, concise, and timely communication to meet the needs of every stakeholder, from employees to customers, and from internal teams to external partners. This article will delve into the principles of OCM, specifically emphasizing its communication planning component.

The Basics of OCM

OCM is a systematic and structured approach to communication, designed to minimize misunderstandings, maximize engagement, and boost productivity. It's a holistic approach that applies to various organizations, from small businesses to large enterprises across diverse industries. OCM aims to optimize communication by leveraging best practices, technologies, and frameworks.

Communication Planning

Communication planning is a critical component of OCM. It involves defining the what, where, when, who, and how of communication strategies. The purpose of communication planning is to ensure that the right information reaches the right audience at the right time, using the most appropriate communication channels and methods.

Communication planning touches on several key areas, including:

1. Strategic alignment: Aligning communication with an organization's vision, mission, values, and strategic goals is crucial for ensuring that messages are both relevant and impactful.

2. Audience segmentation: Segmenting stakeholders into relevant categories, such as employees, customers, suppliers, and the general public, enables more targeted and effective communication.

3. Prioritization: Prioritizing communication is essential for managing resources effectively and ensuring that the most important messages are communicated first.

4. Channel selection: Determining the most appropriate communication channels and methods for reaching various stakeholders helps to maximize engagement and minimize costs.

5. Message development: Developing clear, concise, and compelling messages that resonate with stakeholders is critical for motivating action and encouraging engagement.

6. Timing: Timing communication effectively is essential for ensuring that messages reach stakeholders at the most opportune moments.

7. Feedback: Collecting and analyzing feedback from stakeholders enables organizations to continuously improve their communication efforts.

Communication Planning Frameworks

There are several frameworks that organizations can use to guide their communication planning efforts, including:

1. Eisenberg and Goodall's model: A six-step communication planning framework that emphasizes the importance of:

   • Determining the organization's communication objectives
   • Identifying key stakeholders
   • Analyzing stakeholders' needs, interests, and values
   • Developing messages
   • Selecting the most appropriate communication channels
   • Evaluating the effectiveness of communication efforts

2. Racecar Communication Model: Developed by Dennis and Michelle Shiao, this model focuses on five key components of communication planning:

   • Relevancy
   • Added-value
   • Credibility
   • Consistency
   • Engagement

3. The GRIP Method: This framework, developed by Mel Crane, focuses on four key components of communication planning:

   • Goals
   • Roles
   • Implementation
   • Proof

The Benefits of Communication Planning

Communication planning offers numerous benefits, including:

1. Improved stakeholder engagement: Communication planning enables organizations to more effectively engage with stakeholders, leading to increased trust, loyalty, and commitment.

2. Greater alignment with strategic goals: Communication planning helps organizations to ensure that communication efforts are aligned with their strategic goals, enabling them to achieve their objectives more quickly and efficiently.

3. Improved decision-making: Communication planning provides organizations with access to critical information, enabling them to make better-informed decisions.

4. Reduced communication costs: Communication planning helps organizations to allocate resources more effectively, enabling them to avoid unnecessary expenses and maximize their ROI.

5. Enhanced reputation: Communication planning enables organizations to present a consistent and compelling message, helping them to enhance their reputation and build stronger relationships with stakeholders.

6. Improved collaboration: Communication planning helps organizations to foster a culture of collaboration, enabling them to work more effectively with their partners, suppliers, and customers.

In conclusion, communication planning is a critical component of OCM, enabling organizations to optimize their communication efforts, improve stakeholder engagement, and achieve their strategic goals. By leveraging best practices, frameworks, and technologies, organizations can maximize the effectiveness of their communication efforts and enhance their reputation.