Audits of communications give you the ability to map progress against strategic objectives, and identify priorities and quick-wins.

We conduct plain-language audits to help organisations to benchmark their documents against international best practice and the needs of readers. Our clients have used Simplified audits to:

• compare content across different departments and different channels (such as online and print)
• measure quality and effectiveness of communications
• assess whether content complies with plain-language provisions in laws and regulations, such as Treating Customers Fairly.

There are two ways to assess whether a document is clear and written in plain language: assessments based on objective criteria and those based on testing with users. Our case study on an insurance audit shows how we combine both types of assessments in our communication audits.

Assessments based on objective criteria

Simplified has developed a set of assessment criteria which we customise for different organisations and content types. The criteria are comprehensive and cover aspects from content, structure and design to using everyday words and short, active-voice sentences. We help organisations use appropriate technology to improve readability scores.

Assessments based on testing with users

Objective assessments should always be coupled with user tests. User tests consist of asking task-based questions which test whether users actually understand the content (and not whether they believe they understand it).

Find out more about why user testing is essential to clear communication.