In a communications audit, what is the initial step?

• A. Develop a communications plan
• B. Analyze budget constraints
• C. Draft interview questions
• D. Determine which audience to assess

Answer: (D)

Identifying which audiences to assess is the starting point in a communications audit. You need to know who the organization communicates with and who should be evaluated to understand how well those communications land. This scope guides what you examine, what data you collect, and which interviews you conduct. Once the audiences are defined, you can tailor questions, decide which channels and messages to review, and set appropriate benchmarks. The other steps—developing a plan, drafting interview questions, and considering budget constraints—depend on knowing the audience and the scope, so they come after this initial step.