Benefits/advantages: what are the potential benefits or advantages for using a particular communication method compared to other methods? Benefits may relate to lower costs, ability to disseminate across multiple stakeholders, compliance with regulatory requirements, and ease of use.
Limitations/challenges: what are the potential limitations or challenges apparent in the use of a particular communication method compared to other methods? Limitations may relate to higher costs, difficulties with use, lack of accessibility and language or cultural barriers.
Application: what needs to be considered to facilitate the use of a particular communication method or channel? For instance, there may be specific stakeholder communication needs that need to be addressed (e.g. language, literacy levels, cultural norms), data security and privacy issues, statutory requirements, publication of engagement activities and/or a specific method of distribution.
Information to be communicated: what do stakeholders already know about the project/activity and what do they not know? What do stakeholders want to learn from the practitioner/company undertaking the project/activity? Consideration needs to be given to the reality that stakeholders may not want to know as much as thought they would want to know – it is the responsibility of the company/practitioner to understand stakeholder preferences in relation to the extent of information that they require to feel adequately informed.
Capacity to engage with the method: what is the capacity of a stakeholder to engage with a particular method or channel, and/or have a detailed conversation about project/activity, including potential benefits, impacts and management measures? Some stakeholders may not be receptive to emerging communication methods, such as virtual reality, while others may have a limited understanding of the industry to which the project/ activity relates, and its potential impacts on the environment and society.