Strategic communication, knowledge management, and public learning

Practical resource ยท knowledge

Knowledge product quality rubric

Assesses whether a guide, report, story, brief, or template is clear, evidence-led, audience-specific, and reusable.

Purpose

What this resource helps a team do

Assesses whether a guide, report, story, brief, or template is clear, evidence-led, audience-specific, and reusable.

The resource is intended to create a consistent decision trail. It helps a communication or program team identify what information is needed, who is responsible for it, what should be reviewed, and how the final output will serve its audience.

Resource components

What to include

01

Audience fit

Document the relevant inputs, decisions, evidence, responsibilities, and review notes for this component.

02

Evidence quality

Document the relevant inputs, decisions, evidence, responsibilities, and review notes for this component.

03

Structure review

Document the relevant inputs, decisions, evidence, responsibilities, and review notes for this component.

04

Plain-language check

Document the relevant inputs, decisions, evidence, responsibilities, and review notes for this component.

05

Reuse potential

Document the relevant inputs, decisions, evidence, responsibilities, and review notes for this component.

Suggested workflow

Use the resource in four passes

1. Scope

Define the audience, activity, decision, deadline, evidence available, and owner before completing the resource.

2. Capture

Record source material, stakeholder input, consent, context, and unresolved questions while they can still be verified.

3. Review

Check accuracy, completeness, representation, attribution, accessibility, and alignment with program requirements.

4. Reuse

Store the final record so it can support reports, briefs, stories, presentations, and future planning.

Quality standard

Completion check

  • The intended audience and decision are explicit.
  • Claims can be traced to a source, observation, record, or named stakeholder input.
  • Consent, attribution, and sensitive context have been reviewed.
  • Responsibilities and unresolved follow-up actions are visible.
  • The final record can be understood and reused by someone outside the original activity.

Expected outcome: Better learning products that can serve donors, practitioners, partners, and public audiences.

Frequently asked questions

When should this resource be used?

Assesses whether a guide, report, story, brief, or template is clear, evidence-led, audience-specific, and reusable.

What does the resource include?

Audience fit, Evidence quality, Structure review, Plain-language check, Reuse potential.

What outcome should it support?

Better learning products that can serve donors, practitioners, partners, and public audiences.