How do you measure the effectiveness of communication plans?

Excellent question. I can of course confirm that a good communication plan probably backed by a good RACI and implemented and used as seen, will accurately help the project or program to unfold synergies and strengths I planned in. I cannot explain how to measure this as it is peoples actions that unfold the enhancement - each for her/himself but only the team will put the horespower on the street, as each input is like a piece of energy for the machine that's up to deliver in time, budget and quality. It is great, when this happens!

It is a feeling that you get when doing the project, you review your stakeholder engagement plan and analysis and point the communication in the right directions.

There are many ways, but commonly deployed one's are Observations (viewing actions as required) and Surveys.

Ranmali,
We need to define what you mean by "effective". Does it mean - communication artifact was able to get your message across, or your communication was able to persuade your critical stakeholders to make the decision you wanted them to make, or something else? I change my tools depending on the audience. For important senior stakeholders and sponsors, I verbally ask for feedback.Brief emails and surveys work well for a large spread out team. For a small team, asking them during a meeting works. Let us know what you end up doing - all the best!

Thank you for sharing the information Niraj. The communication artifacts and forums are created for a purpose and if that is not met, the communication plan is not effective. In some cases it can be getting the message across. Asking for feedback either verbally or through a survey would be a good solution.

Hi Ranmali, Glad to help! Wish you success in your project communication tasks! I have used my own "home made" tools, e.g. a spreadsheet that I utilize to guide and judge my communication effectiveness with major stakeholders. I wrote about a simple tool here - http://www.leadproje.com/how-to-give-bad-n...hod-that-works/ .

Tools & Techniques
1. Questionnaires
2. Feedback
3. Open forums
4. Workshops
5. White Papers
6. Email Teasers