Plain Language Plan template

Version: 1.0 | Publication date: 29 October 2010

Format: A4 electronic editable | Pages: 13

How you benefit

• Identify what you want to achieve
• Know who is going to do what and when
• Determine the steps to implement policy

Summary

A plan is the key to any successful plain language project or the implementation of plain language in an organisation.  Many people are tempted to dive right in and start converting documents into plain language.  It is definitely worth doing some planning and preparation beforehand.  This wil save you a lot of time and money.  You will then do the right things at the right time and not have to redo tasks.  For example, part of the plan should be to get the buy-in of the document owners upfront.

Identifying and bring together the project team is also a crucial element of the plan.  You want to make sure that you have all the right people on board.

A Plain Language Plan sets out the following in a table format:

• The milestones or objectives – what do you want to achieve
• Outcomes – what are the expected outcomes
• To-dos – what are need to do to achieve the outcomes
• Responsibility – who is responsible for doing it
• Timing – when will it be done by

When should you do this?

The plan should be created at the beginning of the project, shortly after the policy has been set.

Who does it apply to?

It is for all medium to large organisations. The organisations that will find it especially useful are:

• banks
• insurance companies
• retailers
• law firms