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5.7 Crisis management & contingency planning

Introduction - the difference between crisis management and contingency planning

  • Contingency planning: preparing the immediate steps to be taken by an organization in the event of a crisis or emergency.

  • Crisis management: steps taken by an organization to limit the damage from a significant, damaging event by handling, containing and resolving it.

Effective crisis management

  • Transparency

    • This means being honest and open about the crisis, its causes - and consequences and what the organization intends to do in response to it.

  • Communication

    • The way the organization communicates during a crisis can make the difference between the crisis escalating out of control and it being a minor setback.

  • Speed

    • This refers to how much time there is to respond to a crisis or incident breaking in the media.

  • Control

    • Keeping control of the crisis and not being swept along by events helps to present an image of calm and confidence.

  • Key steps in contingency planning:

    • Identify the potential disasters

    • Assess the likelihood of these occurring

    • Minimize the potential impact of crises

    • Plan for continued operations of the business

5.7 Crisis management & contingency planning

Introduction - the difference between crisis management and contingency planning

  • Contingency planning: preparing the immediate steps to be taken by an organization in the event of a crisis or emergency.

  • Crisis management: steps taken by an organization to limit the damage from a significant, damaging event by handling, containing and resolving it.

Effective crisis management

  • Transparency

    • This means being honest and open about the crisis, its causes - and consequences and what the organization intends to do in response to it.

  • Communication

    • The way the organization communicates during a crisis can make the difference between the crisis escalating out of control and it being a minor setback.

  • Speed

    • This refers to how much time there is to respond to a crisis or incident breaking in the media.

  • Control

    • Keeping control of the crisis and not being swept along by events helps to present an image of calm and confidence.

  • Key steps in contingency planning:

    • Identify the potential disasters

    • Assess the likelihood of these occurring

    • Minimize the potential impact of crises

    • Plan for continued operations of the business

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