Last week my anti-virus software permanently deleted my downloads folder. Although I have back-ups, I’ve yet to restore it because I’ve somehow freed up six gigabytes of space on my laptop. Everything runs faster, it’s easier to find what I need, and I’m no longer juggling multiple copies of the same document.

I’d been meaning to do a clear up for ages, and although this one was accidental it reminded me how clutter quietly builds up until something forces you to deal with it.

The same happens in internal communications. Over time, we accumulate content and channels that once served a purpose but now simply takes up time and space. Employees tune out because there’s too much noise. Regular audits stop this slide. They keep your channels purposeful and your content relevant.

What makes a good audit

A good audit doesn’t just review your content and channels. It reveals whether messages reach the right people at the right time and whether employees truly understand the organisation’s strategy and messaging. For most organisations, a full review every couple of years should be fine, but there are times when you’ll need to act sooner for example after a merger or acquisition, during rapid growth, or when new leaders want to understand how messages are really landing.

Can you do an audit yourself?

Absolutely you can do an internal comms audit yourself, but should you? It can be tough to find the time (or headspace) to do that objectively while juggling day-to-day deadlines. When you’re too close to the work, it’s easy to overlook what’s right in front of you or colleagues may feel uncomfortable giving frank feedback.

It can also be a significant time investment, so consider whether it’s something your team can deliver without support. There can be a lot of work involved in doing an audit well and importantly turning insights into action.

Five tips for conducting an internal communication audit

1. Start with the audience. Too often, I communicators start with channels before understanding what people need. When I do conduct audits, I spend a bit of time in discovery mode. That involves talking to people, watching how they work, learning how they consume information and what gets in their way. It’s about building the full picture of your audience their habits, gaps in their understanding and expectations.

2. Be clear about objectives. Before getting started, be crystal clear about why you’re doing the audit. What are you hoping to learn, prove, or improve? Clear objectives will shape your questions, your methods, and ultimately the value of what you find. Setting clear objectives keeps the audit focused and makes it easier to show impact afterwards

3. Involve your leaders. If you can, make time to speak to a selection of leaders across functions and levels not just the C-suite. You’ll gain a richer picture of how messages are shaped, shared and received throughout the organisation.

4. Take action — and show that listening leads to change. An audit without action is pointless. Turn insights into a practical plan. Prioritise quick wins alongside longer-term improvements so people see early progress. Thank contributors and share what will happen next even small visible changes build confidence that listening has impact.

5. Map your communication ecosystem. List every channel, owner, audience and purpose. Then ask: which are essential, which overlap and which no longer serve a function? This exercise quickly exposes duplication and opportunities to simplify. While you’re at it, look beyond the visible channels to how knowledge is stored and shared. How easy is it for employees to find what they need? How current and trustworthy is the information?