SCMP Study Resources

SCMP Professional Development Support

In addition to being a resource for lifelong learning, IABC's Professional Development supports the GCCC certification program. Current offerings are being mapped to align with these SCMP domains and tasks.

Domains and major tasks performed can be broken down into six categories:
Ethics, Strategy Development, Advising & Leading, Management, Innovation and Reputation Management.

Read on for major tasks associated with each category and resources available to support them. For further information about the knowledge required, see the Job Task Analysis (JTA) for SCMP candidates.

Ethics

Tasks

Resources

Take all reasonable steps to ensure that the organization communicates with sensitivity to cultural values and beliefs
Take all reasonable steps to ensure the organization communicates in accordance with its own policies, its industry’s code of ethics and the IABC Code of Ethics

IABC Circle of Fellows episodes 15, 74, 75

"The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication,” chapter 4

Strategy Development

Tasks

Resources

Direct research
Interpret information to generate insights that can inform strategy
Develop communication strategies for the organization
Demonstrate the business value of communication by developing measurable goals and objectives

IABC Circle of Fellows episodes: 12, 58, 70, 75, 79, 81

"The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication,”
chapters 5, 8, 13, 14, 19, 21

Advising & Leading

Tasks

Resources

Counsel executives and business unit leaders about communication and its effect on business results
Coach executives, business unit leaders, and others within the organization on how to communicate effectively in a variety of situations and settings
Advise executives and business leaders on the communication aspects of business plans and their effects on stakeholders

IABC Circle of Fellows episodes: 10, 34, 38, 42, 52, 56, 61, 69, 75, 77, 80

"The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication,” chapters 1, 6, 13

Management

Tasks	Resources
Lead teams involved in performing communication projects Provide budget management/oversight Acquire and manage resources necessary for meeting communication objectives (e.g. funding, facilities, tools) Develop business cases for communication projects and campaigns Hire, manage, mentor and develop staff Swiftly prioritize and re-prioritize workflows based on changing business needs	IABC Circle of Fellows episodes: 1, 54, 61, 64, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81

Innovation

Tasks

Resources

Identify trends in communication and evaluate them against the organization’s needs
Develop unique approaches to communication implementation
Adopt and promote a continuous improvement environment

IABC Circle of Fellows episodes: 9, 29, 48, 75, 76

"The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication,” chapter 11

Reputation Management

Tasks

Resources

Identify reputational risks and recommend actions to protect the organization and its stakeholders
Manage crises
Prepare the organization for communication responses to crises

IABC Circle of Fellows episodes: 28, 30, 45, 75, 76

"The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication,” chapters 5, 8, 17, 21, 24

Additional Resources for SCMP Candidates

Candidate Handbook – download here
IABC Code of Ethics – link here
Practice test – download here

Current SCMPs also recommend:

Job Task Analysis (JTA) for SCMP – download here
Areas to review within communication practice, e.g. media relations, internal communications, corporate social responsibility, conducting research, social and digital media, etc.
Read white papers on tasks and knowledge covered by JTA
Participate in webinars – IABC Advance, organization in-services, open courses, etc.
Catalyst magazine and online content center

*Utilizing these study aids does not guarantee a candidate will pass either certification exam.

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Information! The GCCC is independent of IABC. Its members represent the communication industry worldwide and come from a broad spectrum of organizations. The independent status reflects the GCCC’s understanding of the importance of impartiality in carrying out its certification activities, managing conflict of interest, and ensuring the objectivity of its certification activities. Membership in IABC is not a condition of Council membership or certification.