The end of Q1 is upon us, so I hope you have your plans, decks, and email drafts ready to share with your clients or whomever you… “Hope this email finds you well.”

This week: We are talking about client processes and my disdain for a particular project management approach, and why my clients love it.

When I started as a health communication specialist, I was the QUEEN of strategic planning: creating road maps for my clients. However, during my third year, a novice communicator... I learned that my client and their team were confused about some processes I outlined. After several meetings and discussions, I realized that what my client needed was a Process Plan.

When working with clients, I enjoy planning in motion. Most people have strategic plans, which is great, but you should also have a client process plan—something to help clients understand the processes you'll be working on and implementing. This includes tasks, approvers of those tasks, deadlines, and all team members involved in the project. Yes, that sounds like a strategic plan, but there's more to it than that.

What's the difference between a strategic plan and a process plan?

Strategic Plan: A strategic plan is basically a roadmap or comprehensive framework that aligns with the organization's mission and vision. It includes strategies to address challenges and future opportunities. I typically develop a strategic plan two to three weeks after beginning a project.

While my client and I have discussed their needs before I start, I take the time to evaluate my work and their requirements once I am on the job. This allows me to identify any new processes that may need to be implemented to ensure the project's success.

As a health content communication specialist, I have a list of tasks my client and I have agreed upon, which sometimes include creating clear guidelines and implementing, my favorite, project management timelines and tools. That's where a process plan comes in handy.

Process Plan: A process plan helps streamline the project workflow from start to finish. It defines/refines tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities, ensuring everyone follows through. It helps clarify who is responsible for what, how approvals happen, and what the project goals are.

Since I work with different groups, I need to know who I'm working with, how their approval processes work, and what our timelines are. This includes defining the scope, objectives, team members, review procedures, and communication methods. It’s essentially about making sure everything is organized and clear, which fits perfectly with health communication.

For client projects, I focus on where we're inputting information, which artifacts we’re using, who updates those artifacts, and how they’ll function during and after my involvement. Having this in place makes project planning easier and clearer. I never really thought about it when I first started, but talking to a client who didn't understand what we needed to do for project planning made me realize how useful a process plan can be.

I miss MySpace. I used to be able to tinker with code and HTML like I knew what I was doing and add music to my profile. One of my favorite MySpace era songs was Shiny Toy Guns- Rainy Monday.

I bring this up because there is a line that goes...

Even though the “feelings” from the songs aren’t the same…That’s exactly how I feel about Monday.com. I use Monday.com every single day, and I’ll lie to anyone I work with that I like it. In my defense, it’s not pleasing to my eyes, the automation gets on my nerves, and it’s TOO LOUD. The color is not pleasing to the eyes, and I have more cons than pros.

But for the life of me, I can’t stand the automations, the recurring tasks when they’re complete make no sense to me. I know I said the interface is easy, but Monday.com is just meh to me. It’s like that person in class who is loud and wrong. No one will understand me when I say this…I wouldn’t mind if this task management/ crm disappeared. I think…I just don’t think it’s freelance or healthcare friendly, not sure how to explain, but it’s just a no for me.

That being said, Monday.com is fantastic for people in social justice movements and lawyers who want to keep track of their clients and briefings. Before I tell you why some of my clients love monday.com.

Anyway, I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5.

Q1 is all about new beginnings, but it lso hectic. We’re all rushing to meet deadlines, create new timelines, and maybe hold one or two convenings to share results. stories, thoughts, and takes. I mention convening because I just helped my client with one.

Anyway, as freelancers or agent babes, the end of Q1 can be chaotic and nerveqrecking especially when you do 3-month contracts. You’re not sure if they’re re-signing or if you’ll be able to sign a new client.

How to get through Q1 and enter: Pick a mood for Q2. Write what you want to achieve as a health comm novice, freelancer, or someone who is just entering Q2.

What’s next: A trailer with a hint of what’s to come. I’ll give you a hint: a ‘mock guide'.