3.4: Analyzing Purpose: Other Issues
- Page ID
- 173801
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Knowing your "bottom line" is not the end of analyzing purpose. Here are some questions you want to ask to make sure you look at all parts of the equation. The answers will help refine your purpose and shape your entire project.
- What format will I use to communicate? Today’s commanders are increasingly more vigilant of the value of their troops’ time-and their own. Make sure that the communication is required and that you select the most appropriate format for delivery. Think about how much time you will have to deliver your message before you go any further. Will you have 2 minutes in a staff meeting with the general that starts in 1 hour? One hour at your commander’s call next week?
- How much time do I have to prepare my communication? The breadth and scope of a report your boss needs the next day will be different than a staff project due by the end of the fiscal year. What’s the suspense? How long is it going to take to write the report? Be sure to budget adequate time for all "Seven Steps," especially "Researching your Topic" (Step 2), "Drafting" (Step 5) and "Editing" (Step 6). If coordination is part of the master plan, it will also affect your timelines.
There’s more to successful communication than getting clear on purpose. There’s always that human factor and in the communication game that translates to analyzing your audience.