Sample Audit
Ready to start planning? The next few sections provide a case study to demonstrate how an organization could utilize the Outreach Assessment tools from the previous section to audit and assess their outreach practices and needs. This first section is sample audit for the organization ABC Education.
Case Study: ABC Education
Step 1: Audit Current Outreach Practices
Sample Audit
Key: INT (Integrated), WDP (Well-Developed), DEV (In Development), NP (Not Performed), NA (Not Applicable)
Strategic Practices |
Description |
Level |
|
|
INT |
WDP |
DEV |
NP |
NA |
Identify collaborators |
Who is leading or contributing? |
|
|
x |
|
|
Identify mission |
Basic outreach content (90-sec) |
|
|
x |
|
|
Define target audiences |
Key stakeholders, groups |
|
x |
|
|
|
Define strategy |
Purpose/scope |
|
|
x |
|
|
Scan marketplace |
Opportunities/challenges |
|
|
|
x |
|
Define goals |
Specific/measurable targets |
|
|
x |
|
|
Create outreach brief |
1-2 pages communicating plan |
|
|
|
x |
|
Planning Practices |
Description |
Level |
|
|
INT |
WDP |
DEV |
NP |
NA |
Create a timetable |
Milestones, dates, contingencies |
|
x |
|
|
|
Create a budget |
Staff, time, money, overhead |
|
x |
|
|
|
Select channels |
Social media, publicity, email... |
|
x |
|
|
|
Develop tactics/activities |
Actions for each channel |
|
|
x |
|
|
Create a workplan |
Map timetable w/ deliverables |
|
x |
|
|
|
Develop messaging |
Elevator pitch, talking points |
|
x |
|
|
|
Establish spokespeople |
Credible messengers |
|
x |
|
|
|
Execution Practices |
Description |
Level |
|
|
INT |
WDP |
DEV |
NP |
NA |
Project management |
Use of brief, workplan, budget |
|
|
x |
|
|
Develop promo materials |
One-sheet, website |
|
x |
|
|
|
Build partnerships |
Strategic relationships |
|
x |
|
|
|
Train spokespeople |
Consistent communications |
|
x |
|
|
|
Timely communications |
Series of contacts, news tie-ins |
|
|
x |
|
|
Evaluation Practices |
Description |
Level |
|
|
INT |
WDP |
DEV |
NP |
NA |
Measure impact |
Qualitative/quantitative data |
|
x |
|
|
|
Analyze/report results |
Report value, insights, lessons |
|
x |
|
|
|
Adjust your plan |
Prepare for next steps |
|
|
x |
|
|
Follow more of this case study in the following section, Outreach Assessment: Sample Assessment to see how ABC Education used their audit to better understand their current outreach performance and capacity. In addition, this section will show how they used these tools to develop a strategy, establish a plan, ensure execution, and evaluate their efforts.