[CC] [PM] Seven Phases of Crisis Communication (CC) Planning Methodology

Outline of Crisis Communication Phases

 Crisis Communication Planning Methodology

The "Seven Phases of Crisis Communication Planning Methodology" outlines a structured approach to preparing your organization for potential crises.

The first three phases focus on laying the groundwork. You'll establish a project team, assess potential crisis scenarios, and analyze their impact on your business. This helps prioritize threats and identify areas where your organization is most vulnerable.

Phases four and five involve crafting your response strategy.  You'll define clear communication goals, establish key messages, and outline specific actions for different situations. This includes designating spokespersons, selecting communication channels, and developing a decision-making protocol.  

The final two phases ensure your plan stays effective. You'll test it through simulations and train your team.  Finally, you'll establish a program for ongoing maintenance, monitoring the media landscape and updating the plan as needed. This comprehensive methodology helps organizations navigate crises with a precise and measured approach.

This outline details the seven phases of implementing crisis communication through a structured approach.

Phase 1: Project Management

• Define project scope and objectives for crisis communication planning.
• Establish a project timeline with key milestones.
• Assemble a dedicated crisis communication planning team with designated roles and responsibilities.
• Determine resource allocation for the planning process.

Phase 2: Crisis Scenario Risk Assessment

• Identify potential crisis scenarios relevant to your organization (e.g., product safety issues, data breaches, natural disasters).
• Analyze the likelihood and potential impact of each crisis scenario.
• Develop a risk matrix to prioritize crisis scenarios based on severity and likelihood.

Phase 3: Business Impact Analysis (Related to CC)

• Assess the potential consequences of each crisis scenario on various aspects of your business (e.g., financial losses, reputational damage, operational disruption).
• Identify critical business functions that could be affected by a crisis.
• Develop mitigation strategies to minimize the business impact of different crisis scenarios.

Phase 4: CC Strategy

• Define key communication objectives for responding to a crisis (e.g., maintaining public trust, minimizing reputational damage, and providing accurate information).
• Establish core messaging principles to guide communication during a crisis (e.g., transparency, empathy, accountability).
• Identify target audiences for crisis communication (e.g., employees, customers, media, investors).

Phase 5: CC Plan Development

• Develop a comprehensive crisis communication plan outlining specific actions in response to different scenarios.
• Include protocols for:
  • Information gathering and verification.
  • Internal and external communication channels (e.g., press releases, social media, employee briefings).
  • Media relations strategy.
  • Spokesperson selection and training.
• Establish a crisis communication chain of command and decision-making process.

Phase 6: CC Testing and Exercising

• Conduct tabletop exercises to simulate crisis scenarios and test the effectiveness of the crisis communication plan.
• Identify areas for improvement and refine the plan accordingly.
• Train crisis communication team members on their roles and responsibilities.

Phase 7: Program Management

• Develop a program to maintain and update the crisis communication plan continuously.
• Monitor the media landscape and identify emerging threats.
• Conduct periodic reviews and revisions of the crisis communication plan to ensure its continued relevance.

This outline provides a framework for developing a robust and effective crisis communication plan. Remember to adapt it to your specific organizational needs and crisis scenarios.

Summing Up ...

In today's fast-paced world, a well-defined crisis communication plan is no longer a luxury but a necessity. By employing the "Seven Phases of Crisis Communication Planning Methodology," you can transform your organization from reactive to proactive, ensuring you are prepared to weather any storm and emerge stronger on the other side.