In May 2001, a leading government department commissioned our plain English writing evaluation and training program for its managers and team leaders. The response was so positive that the Plain English Foundation began training the entire organisation—27 courses for over 230 staff, including the CEO and Executive.
The department then asked us to re-design its flagship published reports. We did a writing audit of the reports and developed a value-oriented structure to emphasise key results and analysis. We then engineered standard internal and client documents such as templates and client reports.
The Foundation supported the transition to plain English through a second round of refresher workshops with managers. We redeveloped the organisation’s style manual and co-authored its annual report, and provided editorial consulting on key public reports.
The results are significant. The average document is now 40% shorter, much clearer, and far more readable. The organisation’s major stakeholders have been extremely receptive, and the department’s writing culture has shifted permanently.
View another case study here.