How would you structure a client communication plan for a multi-week engagement in a CFE case?

• A. Define objectives, stakeholders, frequency, channel, roles, milestones, and escalation procedures; ensure transparent and timely updates.
• B. Communicate only at the start and end.
• C. Use informal updates only.
• D. Avoid documenting procedures.

Answer: (B)

A clear, ongoing communication plan is essential for any multi-week engagement in a CFE context. It sets up how information will flow, who needs to be informed, and how issues are addressed, so everyone stays aligned as work progresses. The best approach is to define objectives and stakeholders, specify how often updates occur, through which channels, who is responsible for what, key milestones, and how to escalate problems. This structure ensures transparent, timely updates, helps manage expectations, keeps the investigation or engagement on track, and provides a solid audit trail of decisions and findings.

Communicating only at the start and end leaves too much room for surprises. Issues, findings, or scope changes can arise mid-engagement, and without regular updates these can go unaddressed, risking inefficiencies, miscommunication, and a loss of credibility. Relying on informal updates or avoiding documented procedures also creates ambiguity and inconsistency, making it harder to verify steps taken or recall decisions later.