Internal communication architecture

The question it helps answer

Use the internal communication architecture to organise the reasoning behind this question: How should critical information reach different audiences reliably without creating noise? The working view makes audience, information need, and channel visible so discussion can move from general opinion to a specific action or decision.

When to use it

Use the internal communication architecture when people working on operating foundations are using different mental models for audience, information need, and channel, and that difference is changing choices or coordination.

What it is

The internal communication architecture is a set of connected concepts for examining one situation from several necessary angles. Its core working elements are audience, information need, channel, and cadence. Those elements belong together because each changes how the others should be interpreted or acted on.

Core elements

Audience

Identify the relevant people or groups, their needs, and any important differences in influence, access, or impact. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to information need so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.

Information need

Capture information need only at the level needed to answer: How should critical information reach different audiences reliably without creating noise? Use observable evidence, name any unresolved judgment, and state what action or choice this entry can change. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to channel so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.

Channel

Match the message, level of detail, channel, sender, timing, and feedback path to the audience and consequence. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to cadence so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.

Cadence

Set a review rhythm and define the evidence, threshold, or event that should trigger an earlier review. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to owner so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.

Owner

Assign one accountable owner and distinguish final accountability from contributors, reviewers, and people who must be informed. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to redundancy so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.

Redundancy

Capture redundancy only at the level needed to answer: How should critical information reach different audiences reliably without creating noise? Use observable evidence, name any unresolved judgment, and state what action or choice this entry can change. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to feedback so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.

Feedback

Capture feedback only at the level needed to answer: How should critical information reach different audiences reliably without creating noise? Use observable evidence, name any unresolved judgment, and state what action or choice this entry can change. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to archive so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.

Archive

Capture archive only at the level needed to answer: How should critical information reach different audiences reliably without creating noise? Use observable evidence, name any unresolved judgment, and state what action or choice this entry can change. Within the internal communication architecture, connect this entry to feedback so the relationship can be reviewed rather than inferred.