What's the best way to learn from past change management communication projects?

1 Review your objectives and outcomes

The first step to learn from past change management communication projects is to review your objectives and outcomes. What were the main goals and messages of your communication plan? How did you measure the impact and effectiveness of your communication activities? How well did you align your communication with the overall change vision and strategy? By answering these questions, you can identify what worked well, what didn't, and what can be improved.

2 Collect feedback from stakeholders

The second step to learn from past change management communication projects is to collect feedback from stakeholders. This includes your target audience, your change sponsors, your project team, and your communication peers. You can use various methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or workshops, to gather their opinions and insights. How did they perceive and respond to your communication? What were the main challenges and benefits of your communication? What suggestions do they have for future communication?

3 Analyze your data and findings

The third step to learn from past change management communication projects is to analyze your data and findings. You can use different tools and frameworks, such as SWOT analysis, gap analysis, or lessons learned, to organize and interpret your data. What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your communication? What are the gaps between your objectives and outcomes? What are the key lessons learned from your communication?

4 Document and share your learnings

The fourth step to learn from past change management communication projects is to document and share your learnings. You can create a report, a presentation, a case study, or a blog post to summarize and communicate your learnings. You can also use visual aids, such as charts, graphs, or infographics, to illustrate your learnings. What are the main takeaways and recommendations from your communication? How can you share them with your stakeholders and peers?

5 Update your communication plan and toolkit

The fifth step to learn from past change management communication projects is to update your communication plan and toolkit. You can use your learnings to refine and improve your communication objectives, strategies, tactics, channels, and metrics. You can also use your learnings to create or update your communication templates, guidelines, best practices, and checklists. How can you apply your learnings to your current and future communication projects?

6 Seek continuous improvement and innovation

The sixth and final step to learn from past change management communication projects is to seek continuous improvement and innovation. You can use your learnings to challenge yourself and your team to explore new ideas and approaches for your communication. You can also use your learnings to benchmark and learn from other internal communicators and change practitioners. How can you keep learning and growing as a change communicator?

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?