Communications Audits

Today’s economic challenges are forcing organizations to do more with less, driving increasing scrutiny about whether communications programs are as effective and efficient as they can be. In the face of this situation, both timing and quality are critical—because the results of an audit are only as valuable as how well the assessment was carried out and what questions were asked.

• What are your greatest strengths and what needs to be improved?
• Are your messages clearly communicated?
• What do your customers think of your communications vehicles?
• Are your media relations efforts successful?
• Are your communications linked to goals?
• Does your organizational structure make sense?

Qorvis’ audit team has worked on the inside of major corporations and associations at senior levels, so we understand the process and deliverables that will produce a comprehensive and useful audit.

Our full-service, in-house research unit, Clarus Research Group, adds qualitative and quantitative research, supplementing the data gathered from interviews and in the analysis. Our goal is to deliver a product that is both practical and actionable.

How will a communications audit help me?

• Provides direction for your development of the annual communications plan.
• Pinpoints the areas of greatest need, so priorities can be developed and acted upon.
• Helps identify the common threads and the major differences among your audiences, specifically their views about your department and communication tools.
• Assesses whether your organizational structure is appropriate, given your program goals and audience needs.
• Determines whether your staff has the right skills, or whether they need to be refocused or retooled.
• Serves as a benchmark for future research to determine whether the actions that are taken have generated the results you want.
• Evaluates whether your department is truly integrated in its approach to brand, messages and communications activities.

What's included in a communications audit?

Qorvis offers specific audit elements or a complete audit. For example, we can provide a publications audit, a website audit or research (focus groups, interviews and/or questionnaire). A complete communications audit would encompass:

• Review of the organization’s communications plan and policies
• Analysis of communications vehicles
• Summary of interviews with members of senior management, communications staff members and other key constituents, as appropriate
• Media analysis
• Audience survey (employees, members, customers, partners, and/or other audiences)
• Assessment of strengths/weaknesses
• Recommendations most likely to deliver the greatest return on investment

The Qorvis Executive Summary will provide you a high-level, easy-to-digest overview of the audit results, including the Top 10 Steps you can take to generate an immediate improvement in your communications.

For more information on effective communications audits or to discuss how Qorvis can tailor an assessment for your organization, please contact info@qorvis.com.