SDLC Review Project
Project Ref: 08HIS05
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Revision Date: September 6, 2007
Purpose
The purpose of this communications plan is to explain how the SDLC Review Project intends to
communicate information about the project and the resulting changes to the Ministry Systems
Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This will create awareness, understanding and support from those
being communicated with.
Objectives
The objectives of executing the communication plan are to:
 Increase awareness of the Systems Development Life Cycle and the review project underway
 Provide opportunity for input and feedback from IMG staff, Regional BA’s and client
representatives
 Inform IMG Staff, Clients, and other interested Ministry staff of the new processes once they
are defined.
 Gain support from interested or affected parties
 Gain support and approvals from the steering committee at key intervals.
Key Messages
This review project will result in major revisions/enhancements to the existing Systems Development
Life Cycle. It impacts the way systems projects are conducted across the ministry, especially for
Corporate systems. It will involve the confirmation of roles/responsibilities for business areas and IMG
staff in the life cycle of projects. The target users are those involved in systems development projects
from either an IT Practitioner standpoint or a business sponsor or business user.
The Systems Development Life Cycle Review Project has evaluated external methodologies for
purchase and determined that there was not one suitable product available which meets the ministry
needs. The Working Group has recommended and the Steering committee has agreed, that instead of
purchasing an off-the-shelf solution(s), we will revamp and customize the SDLC ourselves, resulting in
a web-based product which delivers an SDLC process, clickable diagrams, templates and
documentation.
Audiences/Stakeholders
The key audience and/or stakeholders include:
 Project Sponsor (IMG CIO and Director)
 Project Steering Committee (IMG Management Team)
 IMG staff and Regional BA’s
Communication Plan
Page 1
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All MOFR staff involved in systems development projects from either an IT Practitioner
standpoint or a business sponsor or business user.
Client Reps from Business Areas
Data Standards Managers
Consultants/Contractors working with IMG
Schedule of Communications Activities
TARGET
Sponsor
Steering
Committee
MESSAGE
MECHANISM
TIMEFRAME
1. Status (schedule,
progress, issues).
2. Issues/
Resolutions.
3. Special Reqmnts.
1. Status Report (HC or
E-Mail).
2. Decision request
3. EMail, in person
1. Bi-Weekly
1. Content, Progress,
Invite ongoing
communications.
2. Special
Requirements
1. Monthly mtgs.,
E-mail bulletins.
1. Bi-Monthly.
2. E-mail, mtgs., in
person
.
1. Sponsor (Project
provides supporting
docs.).
2. As req’d.
1. At sponsor's
discretion, as req'd.
Sponsor
1 & 2. Proj
Mgr.
1. Overview, Status,
Issues
Project
Team
Members
1. Context, Overview,
Project Plans
1. Project Kickoff
Meeting, Sharepoint
1. At Project Start,
ongoing access
2. Status, Issues
2. Team meetings,
Status Reports, Issue
Log, E-mail notes,
Sharepoint
2. Weekly, or as
required
3. Requirements
Gathering,
Participation/Revie
w and Validation of
Deliverables
1. Context, Overview
2. Status, Issues
3. Requests for input,
Special
Requirements
4. Training
Plan/Training
Courses
5. Overviews
Communication Plan
3. E-mail, mtgs., in
person
1. Email
Bulletins/Sharepoint
2. Email
Bulletins/Sharepoint
3. Email solicitation
Proj Mgr.
2. As Required.
3. As Required.
Executive
IMG
Staff
and
Regional
BA’s
RESP
3. One-off ASAP.
1. At Project Start,
ongoing access
Proj Mgr.
3.Project
Team
Members
1-3.Proj Mgr
2. Monthly or BiMonthly, or as
required
3. One-off ASAP.
4. Bulletins/E-learning
offerings
4. As needed
5. Presentations/
Powerpoint slides
5. As appropriate for
timing
4.Training
Coordinator
5.Project
Mgr
Page 2
TARGET
MESSAGE
MECHANISM
TIMEFRAME
RESP
SDLC
Working
group
members
communicat
e back to
their
respective
areas
in
MOF or to
other
colleagues.
Business
Users/
System
Owners/
Data
Standards
Managers/
Other MOF
groups
1. Info exchange on
standards/guidelin
es and contribution
from group or
area, if applicable.
2. Updates on status
and deliverables/
outcomes
Status or section
meetings, various working
group meetings if
applicable
As needed.
SDLC
Working
Group
Members
1. Context, Overview
2. Project Status,
Deliverable Status
3. Deliverables
4. Training
Plan/Training
Offerings
5. Handouts/ Glossy
materials
1. Bulletins, IMG
Website
2. Bulletins, IMG
Website, Client reps
3. IMG Website
4. E-Learning site
5. Various group
meetings
6. News/updates on
SDLC site
1. When approaching
completion of
training material.
Based on project
schedule
2. As needed
3. When available
4. When available
5. When available
6. As appropriate
1-3. Proj.
Mgr., User
Rep.
Vendors/
Contractors
1. Context, Overview
2. Project Status,
Deliverable Status
3. Deliverables
4. Training
Plan/Training
Offerings
5. Handouts/Glossy
materials
6. Input/Feedback of
Changes
7. Standards/
Guidelines
1. Bulletins, IMG
Website
2. Bulletins, IMG
Website, Client reps
3. IMG Website
4. E-Learning site
5. Various group
meetings
6. Contract
Requirements/Standa
rd Clauses
As needed and when
available
Proj. Mgr.
and
Training
Coordinator
4.Training
Coordinator
5-6.Project
Mgr.
Resources
The project manager and members of the steering committee will be responsible for most of the
activities in the communication plan.
Working Group members are also expected to communicate with their respective areas to help
promote the SDLC changes.
Vulnerabilities/Potential Issues
The successful implementation of the Systems Development Life Cycle changes will require
participation and cooperation by all involved parties. In order to mitigate this risk, the management
team will be asked for their full cooperation, support and positive communication regarding the
changes to the Systems Development Life Cycle methodology and resulting benefits of these changes
Communication Plan
Page 3
Measures of Success:
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The SDLC Working Group has endorsed the communication plan.
Initial overview and ongoing bi-monthly updates have been sent to all IMG Staff and Regional
BA’s throughout the project.
Bi-weekly status reports are produced.
Steering Committee is informed through status reports and meetings at major
milestones/decision points.
MOFR Staff are aware of coming changes and availability of training offerings, once available.
Evaluation
The Project Manager will review the communications activities as needed, and at major milestones.
Feedback will be sought from the working group and IMG Staff. The communications plan will be
modified to reflect the changes.
Communication Plan
Page 4