RPIE

The topic for my APR review session this evening focused on the four-step process in public relations planning – Research, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation (RPIE).

Successful public relations practitioners employ this approach to developing action plans every day. I have used the process throughout my career.

As we were going through the notes and the power points at this evening’s session, I had a small epiphany. The RPIE approach isn’t just something we do in PR. It’s something we all do in our every day lives. 

Here are a few instances:

Buying a Car – You:

• Research the various vehicular options
• Plan your shopping approach
• You implement that approach (and either purchase or DON’T purchase the car)
• Finally, you evaluate the outcome (and, if necessary, you start the process over at step one)

Choosing a College (something we’ve recently followed with our ones): They:

• Researched prices and programs of different universities
• Planned campus visits and internet searches
• Implemented those visits and took down information
• Evaluated what they learned as they made their final decisions

Coaching a Youth Baseball Team (kind of folds into the overarching theme here, don’t you think?) I:

• Researched different methods for teaching skill sets such as hitting, pitching, fielding and throwing
• Created my detailed practice plans (often broken down by the minute)
• Implemented the practice plan on the field
• Evaluated how the skill set was taught (and that evaluation often became apparent during game action)

If you think about it, the RPIE approach really occurs in almost any facet of your life in which you carry out an action or make a decision. Of course, I have glossed over writing the 10 step P.R. plan or setting SMART objectives for your campaign. I am doing my due diligence to study those points, however.

Still, the four step process is both helpful & practical. It’s kind of a formal representation of the old adage: “Plan the Work (then Work the Plan).”

 Or, as my dad always says “Measure twice, cut once.”

You can use the approach in starting an exercise program, doing a household repair project or renovation, engaging in financial planning (such as creating a retirement plan) or literally any tangible activity. Vacation? Yes. Buying a home? Yes. Planning a wedding. Most definitely.

When you come right down to it, RPIE is applicable in any endeavor.

JG

Originally posted 4/3/2014