Two new tools from the Public Relations Consultants Associations aim to share best practice and improve the efficiency of in-house PR and communications teams.

The first is the In-house Communications Management Standard (ICMS) which is described as “an independent audit of structures and systems within in-house PR & communications teams”. Based around quality standards including ISO9001, Investors in People and the consultancy Consultancy Management Standard, the ICMS aims to provide reassurance about internal processes.

The second, the In-house Benchmarking Survey, seeks to furnish heads of PR and communications with KPIs to run their organisations more efficiently. Completed by a senior member of an organisation’s PR & Communications team, the study reflects the range of activities PR and comms teams can be responsible for.

Both initiatives are currently out to consultation among PRCA members.

“This is another leap forward in our offering to in-house PR and communications teams,” said Richard Ellis, PRCA communications director said about the tools “The consultancy equivalents of these tools form, along with our networking programme, training and qualifications and insight programme, the core of our offering. These tools will help those committed to best practice to further raise their game.”