New Project — Key Questions and Considerations

Objective

• What is the purpose of the publication?
• What message will it convey?

Background Information

• Is this publication being developed as part of a partnership initiative (e.g. with other federal departments, other levels of government or the private sector)?
• Does this publication fall under one of the key government priorities?
• Are there legal requirements (e.g. copyright) to consider?
• Is this publication part of a marketing campaign?
• Has a distribution plan been developed?
• Have distribution, warehousing and inventory issues been addressed?
• What quantity must be produced?

Target Audience

• Who is the client trying to reach with this publication?
• Is there a primary and secondary audience?

Format

• Does the client have any preferences and/or expectations in terms of format (print, electronic or both; colour; stock; binding; size; etc.)?
• How long is the text?
• Is the proposed product the most appropriate?
• Should the publication be a bilingual tumble or separate English and French versions?
• Is this publication linked to other published materials (i.e. are there specific graphic elements, colours, etc., that must be used)?
• Has the production of electronic formats (e.g. PDF, HTML, CD-ROM) and accessible formats (e.g. Braille, large print, audio) been considered to make the publication more accessible?

Approvals

• Who must approve the publication at the various production stages?
• How much time should be allotted for these approvals?
• Does this publication require ministerial approval?

Costs

• Have all alternatives been considered in an effort to arrive at the most cost-effective product?
• Is it cost-effective to print additional copies now for later use?
• Are the client’s expectations in line with his or her budget?
• If applicable, should overtime costs be discussed with the client?

Deadlines

• What is the target release date?
• Is the deadline a moving target or is it linked to an event?
• Is the deadline realistic?

Delivery

• Where should the finished publication be delivered?
• Which channels of distribution will be used (mail-outs, trade shows, etc.)?
• How can the publication be delivered to target users quickly and economically?
• Where can additional copies be obtained?
• Will there be a need to store the publications? If so, has the client made the necessary arrangements?
• What is the ultimate delivery date (e.g. if the publication is needed for a conference, by what date must it be delivered to be shipped to the conference on schedule)?
• Refer client to Industry Canada Publications: How-To Guide for Distribution, Warehousing and Inventory.