The Strategic Communication Plan: Effective Communication for Strategic Leaders.

This paper looks at the importance of the strategic communication plan to strategic leaders and the organizations they lead. It addresses the purpose, developmental process, content, and implementation of a strategic communication plan offering specific recommendations for the creation and effective use of a successful plan. This subject is particularly important to those in government service because communication is the link between what an organization intends to do and the understanding and support needed from particular groups and the general public to ensure the ultimate achievement of its program goals. Therefore, a well developed communication plan can be essential to the success or failure of key programs. Throughout the document, two examples of excellent strategic communications plans, from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, will be used to illustrate key points.