Implement the Results
Are the results satisfactory?
How will the results be used?
Who needs to know about them?
At the start of a project, all of the relevant stakeholders, both in-house and external, should be identified. This is particularly important if a field trial is likely to be required, since a location needs to be identified and the support of local staff obtained. It is therefore important not simply to identify the stakeholders but also to develop engagement plans to keep them informed about the progress of relevant projects.
It is also important to develop communication plans and suitable means to disseminate the relevant information to the right people. These should not be limited to project results, but should also include information about projects whilst they are under way. At Woodview, we consider one of the keys to success for all communications as being ‘Remember your target audience’. The information provided should be specifically tailored for those receiving it. One size definitely does not fit all.
Finally, at the end of a project, both the results and the performance of the technology provider should be evaluated. We recommend that funding organisations should prepare close-out reports for all projects that cover both technical and project management issues. We also recommend that these are discussed with the technology providers to enable any lessons learned to be identified. We have produced a range of communications material for both portfolios and individual projects. These include:
- Stakeholder engagement plans;
- Newsletters;
- Brochures.
- Executive summaries;
- Slide packs and presentations;
We are able to produce these items in-house, but we also run seminars and training courses for third parties on how to prepare appropriate communications material.