The outcomes of assessments need to be reported both to the eventual end-users (i.e. decision-makers) and to the other stakeholders involved in the assessment.  The way in which this is done is important for what is reported, and how it is communicated, determine what the users think they are being told and, thereby, the decisions that they make.

Given this, it is important to bear in mind a number of precepts.  These state that the information must be:

• relevant to the users
• balanced and accurate
• concise yet complete
• unambiguous and understandable
• credible and open to scrutiny

In reality, devising achieving these is not easy.  Problems include:

• the complexity of the issues being addressed and of the science used to assess them;
• the large volume and range of results that assessments often produce;
• the differing expectations, needs, experience and skills of the stakeholders concerned.

It also has to be recognised that the scientists responsible for conducting assessments are not always skilled in communicating with non-expert audiences, and do not always have a clear view of what effective communication implies (see link to Myths about risk communication below).  

A number of useful strategies can, however, be adopted.  These include:

1. Ensuring that the reporting methods are defined, and agreed with stakeholders, early in the assessment (at the issue-framing and design stages), and are specified in the assessment protocol - and that the procedures are then adhered to;
2. Using a range of different communication methods and media, including both textual reports and visual means (diagrams, maps, animations) - but making sure that these are consistent in their messages;
3. Producing a structured set of materials, ranging from simple headline messages through to more detailed scientific reports, each designed to target a specific audience - but, again, ensuring that these are consistent;
4. Making available all the relevant supporting information needed to explain how the results were derived and justify any decisions made in the process - and offering direct access to this information as part of the reporting process;
5. Evaluating the effectiveness of all communication materials, via a panel of stakeholders, before they are released - and adapting the materials in the light of the comments received;
6. Involving professional communicators in the process of designing, preparing and disseminating the materials.