30/60/90 Day Internal Comms Checklist

How to use this 30-60-90 day plan template

Starting a new role in internal communications can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Heck, continuing an existing role in internal comms can be scary! Whether you’re actually in the first 90 days of a new role, or want to take a strategic look at your activities in the face of change, a 30-60-90 day plan is a great structure. 

The first 90 days are critical for setting yourself up for success and for making an immediate, positive impact on your new company. Balancing the need to understand the organization with the pressure to deliver results can feel like a lot to manage. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive checklist that helps you navigate those early days with confidence, build a solid foundation, and demonstrate your value from day one.

Let’s dive into each phase of the plan and how it can set the tone for long-term success.

The first 30 days: learning and listening

The initial 30 days are about listening, and understanding the company from the inside out. It’s your chance to learn about the culture, values, and business priorities that will shape your communication strategy. This phase is crucial because effective communication isn’t just about delivering messages – it’s about aligning those messages with company goals, helping employees see how their roles contribute to those objectives, and learning how teams want to receive communication.

• Share your 30-60-90 day plan: Share your approach with key partners across the company (even if you’re just sharing a “plan to make a plan”). Transparency will show you’re organized and committed to making a real impact.
• Run an internal communications survey: Understanding how employees feel about current communication efforts is the key. The guide includes a survey template to help you gather valuable feedback.
• Start a listening tour: Engage with employees across the org to get a sense of what’s working and where there are gaps in communication.
• Review tools and processes: Are the current channels and tech stack effective? Now’s the time to evaluate whether the right platforms are in place.
• Identify small wins: In your first month, focus on delivering a few quick wins, like streamlining a process or improving clarity in communications. These early victories will help build your credibility and momentum.

By focusing on learning and listening, you’ll lay the groundwork for a communications strategy that resonates across the organization.

The next 30 days: building momentum

After your first month, it’s time to start making bigger moves. The second phase of your plan focuses on taking everything you’ve learned and turning it into actionable improvements.

• Conduct an internal communications audit: In a structured way, assess the current state of comms across the company, looking for gaps and opportunities. 
• Set key metrics and benchmarks: Tracking the success of your efforts is crucial. Define which metrics matter most – whether it’s email open rates, engagement on the intranet, or participation in company-wide meetings.
• Create an editorial calendar: An organized content plan ensures your messaging stays relevant and consistent. You can manually make a content calendar
• Establish monthly touchpoints: Regular check-ins with leadership and department heads will help you stay aligned with broader business goals while keeping everyone informed of your progress.
• Showcase small wins: Continue sharing the impact of your early initiatives, from improved campaign results to streamlined processes.

By the end of 60 days, you’ll have built trust within the organization and demonstrated measurable progress.

The final 30 days: strategy and execution

As you enter the last phase of the 30-60-90 day plan, it’s time to solidify your internal communications strategy and start executing in a big way. You’ve gathered insights, built relationships, and achieved some quick wins – now, it’s about taking everything you’ve learned and developing a long-term approach.

• Document your strategy: Lay out your key objectives, messages, channels, and metrics for success. This strategic roadmap will guide your efforts for months to come.
• Publish a monthly report: Keep leadership and the broader company informed of your progress with a monthly internal communications report. The guide includes a reporting template to help streamline this process.
• Evaluate new tools: By now, you’ll have a good sense of whether your current tools are up to the task or if you need to advocate for new technology (like Workshop). 
• Advocate for resources: Whether it’s additional headcount, budget, or new platforms, your first 90 days are a great time to start making the case for what you need to succeed.
• Launch or revamp key campaigns: Use your newfound knowledge to roll out or improve major communication initiatives. This is your chance to demonstrate your long-term value.

Why You Need This Guide

Our 30-60-90 Day Internal Communications Plan is more than just a roadmap—it’s your key to hitting the ground running in a new role. It provides practical steps, templates, and guidance to help you navigate the critical early months, avoid common pitfalls, and make a lasting impact. Whether you’re stepping into a brand-new role or looking for a way to reset, this guide will help you set yourself up for long-term success.