Internal Communications Audit – formulating a questionnaire!

Internal Communications Audit – the sort of thing some might use a Template for! Just fill in the gaps – and we all do that to some extent. After all – there are some questions you’re going to have to ask everybody.

We decided, though, that it was time for a fresh look so, for our latest project, we started from scratch. Mega brainstorming session – what should we ask in our questionnaire to our client’s staff? What are the questions we want answered?

We got lots of suggestions! And most of them already on our current generic “ask” list in one form or another – a good reaffirmation of the existing framework!

And now – rather than “lose” the list – and to save you a little brainstorming time next time you take a fresh look at the state of your internal communications, or your internal communications questions – here they are (in no particular order although we’ve deleted some that were duplicated):

• What is the information you require to do your job? What is the information you require to feel an integral part of the company?
• What is the source of the information you require? What are the channels through which you receive this information? The channels you use to send information?
• Does the information you require flow upward from the “shop floor”?  Does it come downward from management? Does travel horizontally from another department ?
• Through what channels does the information flow?  Do you consider these channels effective in regards to this information? Easy to use?
• Is there anything you can think of that would improve the flow of communications in regards to each channel?
• How do you rate each channel in regards to the type of information you need. And in regards to each source of information?
• How much information do you receive from each source? Not enough? Just enough? Plenty? Too much ie information overload?
• What sort of information is communicated ie job duties? Logistics? Procedures?
• What channels do you consider effective? Ineffective? How could they be improved?
• Did you understand all communications? What additional communications could help you function in your job?What do others need from you?
• How do you know your communications have been received? and understood? How do you know they’ve been received by the right people?
• What barriers exist in regards to the use of each channel?
• What external barriers can you identify ie language? Noise? Relationships? Communication skills?
• What training needs can you identify?

Hope this saves some time – and maybe opens up new questions?