Reviewing Comm Content as a JPM
Quick Tip!
The Communications Team (Comm Team) has a wide range of skills. Because of this, it can be challenging for a new JPM to review their content.
This article will cover overall considerations and common deliverables to help you be a better reviewer.
Helpful Staff for this Topic
- JPM
- PM
- Team Lead
- Brandon
NOTE: Because the Comm Team works closely with other teams, the review process can differ depending on the project. Communicate with your PM to determine the best review process for your project.
Overall Considerations
There are three main aspects of a Comm Team submission to consider, regardless of the deliverable format:
- Provide detailed and specific feedback.
- Pay attention to objective and subjective aspects of the submission.
- Understand and evaluate the use of the “Digital Corps Voice.”
NOTE: The Digital Corps voice is only used in internal projects
Detailed and Specific Feedback
Depending on what has been submitted, the way you give feedback will differ. These are the two most common scenarios:
- The submission can be commented on directly (Word .docx, Google docs, etc.)
- The submission cannot be commented on directly (video captions, blogs, Reference Guide articles, etc.)
Your job is much easier if the submission can be commented on directly. Simply highlight the specific sentence or section and provide your feedback.
Quick Tip!
In Word, go to “Review”, highlight the specific text you want to comment on, and select “New Comment” to give feedback.
In Google Docs, highlight the specific text you want to comment on and select the “New Comment” icon (a chatbox with a plus in it) from the primary toolbar to give feedback.
Along with comments, you can leave revisions directly in the document in both Word and Google Docs. In Word, use the “Reviewing” feature, and in Google Docs, use the “Suggestion” mode.
If the submission cannot be commented on or directly revised, you will need to type your feedback in Slash Reviews and provide clear notation as to what you are commenting on (e.g. “2nd par: 3rd line: Replace ‘in’ with ‘on'”).
Objective AND Subjective Feedback
Objective feedback includes issues that are technically wrong with the submission. Examples include:
- fixing missing punctuation, capitalization, typos, etc.
- identifying incorrect word usage (your vs. you’re, to vs too, etc.)
- spotting incomplete or run-on sentences
Subjective feedback involves more of a personal opinion (it’s still important!). Examples include:
- rephrasing awkwardly worded sentences
- recommending different vocabulary (e.g. “I think this word would work better.”)
- evaluating if it is engaging—most content should be more than just informational
The Digital Corps Voice
What is it?
In writing, a ‘voice’ is achieved by using certain vocabulary and syntax to convey information in a particular manner. The Comm Team has identified the “Digital Corps Voice” as passionate, friendly, intelligent, and professional.
When should it be used?
The Digital Corps voice is most commonly used in social media and other internal communications. However, it is also used when providing recommendations and implementation plans (which are discussed later).
How do YOU evaluate it?
Be sure to review the Digital Corps voice article to make sure you have a good understanding of the voice. When you review a Comm Team submission, ask yourself the following:
| Does this sound like other Digital Corps writing? | e.g. If you’re reviewing a blog post, you would want to read an older post alongside the new one to see if they have a similar tone. |
| Is the voice distracting from the actual information? | Determine if the voice has taken priority over the actual content. The writing should have personality, but that personality should not have a higher word count than the actual information trying to be delivered. |
| Is the vocabulary used too simplistic or too complex? | e.g. “The Dev Team has been working indefatigably on a new website” might be too complex whereas “The Dev Team has been working tirelessly on the new website” maintains the ‘intelligent’ aspect of the voice without appearing pretentious. |
| Is the writing engaging and interesting? | This is where balance is key. You don’t want bland content but the voice cannot overpower the information. This is closely related to the question above. |
Common Deliverables
Scripts
Purpose: Deliver information using the client’s desired style.
When reviewing video scripts, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is all of the required information included?
- Is the document free of grammatical and spelling errors?
- Are actions being described in detail?
- Does the script match the desired tone?
When reviewing scripts, keep an eye on formatting. Traditional scripts include text and visual descriptions in the same column, whereas A/V formatted scripts include text and visual descriptions in two corresponding columns. Expectations for script formatting should be discussed before they are submitted for review.
Quick Tip!
To see what an A/V script looks like, check out the template here!
Copy and Copy Editing
Purpose: Provide engaging information in a way that aligns with the desired voice.
When reviewing copy, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is all of the required information included and accurate?
- Does the format and amount of copy align with the proposed deliverable? (e.g. website, poster, etc.)
- Does the copy align with the target audience? (e.g. reading level, level of complexity, etc.)
Strategy and Implementation Plans
Purpose: Provide guidance and recommendations in one or more fields of communication strategy.
These plans are flexible documents and are tailored to fit the client’s unique needs. These plans typically include aspects of marketing and social media management.
We don’t commonly create these at the Corps, but if you happen to review strategy and implementation plans, ask yourself the following questions:
- Will this make sense given the client’s current level of understanding?
- Are there clear recommendations or next steps that are supported by industry-standard practices?
- Is there a clear understanding of the separation of client and Digital Corps responsibilities for the implementation of the document?
Check out this Marketing Plan template to learn more about the formatting and specifics of a strategy plan.
Interviews
Purpose: Gather information from specific individuals, either for video purposes or to better understand a project (i.e. a stakeholder interview).
The Comm Team is involved in two different parts of the interview process. They may write the interview questions and/or they may conduct the interviews themselves.
As the JPM, you would only need to review the interview questions. When reviewing this kind of submission, ask yourself the following questions:
- “So what?” What information is trying to be gained from a question and is it needed?
- For the time allotted, is this the appropriate number of questions to ask?
- Are the questions leading? (i.e. do they prompt an individual to respond in a certain way?)
Quick Tip!
Whether or not leading questions are appropriate will depend on the purpose of the interview.
If it is for a promotional video, you’ll likely want leading questions.
However, if it is an information-gathering interview, you’ll likely want to avoid leading questions.
For more information, read this article on conducting interviews!
Wait, there’s more‽
This article has covered the overall considerations and most common deliverables that you’ll encounter as a JPM. However, the longer you work here, the more you’ll be exposed to.
If you’re ever unsure of how to review a Comm Team submission, do not hesitate to reach out to your peers, your PM, or the Comm Team lead.
