[CM] [ISO] Key Crisis Management Principles [R 4.5]

Fundamental Crisis Management Principles According to ISO 22361

The approach should consider the organisation's core values and the potential impacts of a crisis.

Continuous risk assessment and monitoring of internal and external environments are crucial for a proactive response.

This article summarises the seven core principles for building a crisis management capability outlined in ISO 22361. Effective crisis management hinges on these seven principles, which provide a foundation for organisational preparedness.

Governance (Principle A)

• Clear structures, defined roles, and designated responsibilities are crucial for crisis response.
• Employees must understand their part and be adequately trained to act competently during a crisis.

Strategy (Principle B)

• Crisis management is a strategic function requiring leadership commitment.
• Leaders must communicate its value, set clear objectives, and allocate resources to achieve them.
• The approach should align with the organization's core values, priorities, and potential crisis impact.

Risk Management (Principle C)

• A dynamic crisis management capability is built on a solid foundation of risk management.
• Continuous monitoring of internal and external environments and risk assessment enables proactive identification and response to potential crises.

Decision-Making (Principle D)

• Effective decision-making relies on good information management, situational awareness, and stakeholder needs.
• Leaders must leverage information and situational awareness to make informed choices based on evidence, logic, and potential consequences while considering the organisation's strategic goals and values.

Communication (Principle E)

• Crisis management requires precise and timely communication with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Accurate and credible information is crucial for effective crisis response and reputation protection.

Ethics (Principle F)

• Its core values and ethical principles should guide an organisation's response to a crisis.
• Demonstrating ethical behaviour fosters stakeholder support, builds trust, and safeguards brand reputation.

Learning (Principle G)

• Continuous learning strengthens an organization's crisis management capability.
• Training, conducting exercises, and learning from internal and external experiences ensure personnel are competent and prepared to handle crises.

Summing Up ...

By adhering to these principles outlined in ISO 22361, organizations can establish a robust crisis management capability, promoting resilience and preparedness in the face of unforeseen events.

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