Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Introduction -- Development Communication for Success and Sustainability -- Case for Strategic Communications -- Communications-Based Assessment: The First Step -- 2. Framework -- Research and Practice -- Trust and Transparency in the Communications Relationship -- 3. The Development Communication Methodology -- 4. The Communication-Based Assessment (CBA) -- Situational Knowledge -- Socio-political Analysis -- General Application of CBA in Reform Cases -- CBA Procedure -- 5. Opening the Dialogue: Components of the Communication-Based Assessment -- Governmental and Political Risk Analysis -- Stakeholder Analysis -- Media, Communication Research Environment, and Local Capacity -- Social and Participatory Communication -- 6. Contribution of the CBA to Operational Projects -- Alignment of Development Objectives -- Identificaton of Audiences -- Assessment and Mitigation of Social and Political Risks -- Identification of Stakeholders' Positions -- Identification of "Champions" for the Initiative -- Understanding of Decisionmaking Mechanisms -- Inputs for a Sound Public Communication Program -- Capacity-building for Achieving Effective Communication -- Ensuring Internal Coordination and Consistency -- Conclusion -- References -- List of Figures -- 1. Development Communication Approach -- 2. Analytical Work of CBA -- 3. Importance of Issues (Ghana Urban Water Reform) -- 4. Most Important Aspect of Water Service (Ghana Urban Water Reform) -- 5. Major Audiences (Mauritius) -- 6. The Reality of Institutional Settings -- 7. Georgia Judicial Reform Socio-Policital Risk Analysis -- 8. Players (Ghana) -- 9. Basic Organizational Communication Chart for ALRMP II (Kenya) -- 10. Communication Action Plan Components -- 11. Main Areas of Intervention (Brazil) -- 12. Trusted Sources -- 13. Messages -- 14. Guidelines.

List of Boxes -- 1. Governmental and Political Analysis (Issues to be Covered by the CBA) -- 2. Stakeholder Analysis (Issues to be Covered by the CBA) -- 3. Media and Communication Research Environment Analysis (Issues to be Covered by the CBA) -- 4. Social and Participatory Communication Analysis (Issues to be Covered by the CBA) -- 5. Analysis of Critical Audiences (Water and Sanitation PSP, Mauritius).