[CM] Step 6: Establish a Planning Organisation

Identify a CM Planning Committee and CM Team

Launching a crisis management project requires a well-orchestrated team effort. Here's a breakdown of the key players involved:

Crisis Management Planning Organisation

This temporary group leads the project's development.  Headed by a designated Project Leader, the committee is cross-functional, drawing expertise from various departments like HR, Legal, Communications, IT, Operations, and Security.  

They gather input, share knowledge, and craft a comprehensive crisis management plan.  Executive leadership also plays a crucial role, providing direction and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.  Depending on the identified crisis scenarios, subject matter experts from specific areas may be consulted.

Crisis Management Team (CMT)

Once the plan is established, a permanent CMT might be formed.  This team is responsible for maintaining the plan and ensuring its ongoing effectiveness. 

The CMT typically consists of representatives from core departments involved in the planning stage, with a clear leader to spearhead decision-making during a crisis.  Effective communication, strong leadership, and the ability to work collaboratively under pressure are essential qualities for the CMT.

Types of Organisation

Organisations often have difficulty differentiating between the CMP project and recovery organisations. I strongly advise you to design the organisation to transform or map directly to the recovery organization once the project is completed.

CM Planning Organisation

The planning organisation for a crisis management project should not be a permanent, siloed team.  

Here's a breakdown of the key players involved in initiating this project.

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Additional experts may be consulted during the planning stages depending on the potential crises identified. This could include personnel from finance, facilities management, or public relations for specialised crisis scenarios.

Remember, this is a collaborative effort.  The core planning team should work together to gather input, share knowledge, and develop a comprehensive plan.  Once the initial plan is established, a permanent Crisis Management Team might oversee ongoing maintenance, training, and revisions.

Crisis Management Recovery Organisation

Once the CMP Project is completed, the CMP Project Organization is transformed into a CM Team Organization.

Refer to the details in "Composition of a Crisis Management Team."  Click the icon on the right to learn more about the CM Team's composition and roles and responsibilities. 

Clear Terms of Reference (TOR)

The Terms of Reference for a CMP project can be compared to the syllabus for a course of study. Without an agreed syllabus, you will not know what you will be tested on, and the chance of passing is negligible. The Project Management phase is the lead-up to an exam and the exam itself.

You need to know what is expected of you, your specific authority, and the limits. Often, an organisation starts with a position that needs to be defined. This is the first step to possible failure.

These are some guidance on the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the:

• CMP Steering Committee
• Organisation CM Coordinator
• CM Coordinators
• Internal/ External Consultants

Summing up ...

The key deliverable in this step is to identify and develop the “people” aspect of the CMP framework. The committee and CMP team members who steer, plan, and create the project are highly critical to ensure the success of your CMP project.

CM Project Management Steps Click to find out more about the detailed requirements for each step
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Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager’s Guide to Implement Your Crisis Management Plan. Business Continuity Management Specialist Series (1st ed., p. 192). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.

 

 

Find out more about Blended Learning CM-300 [CM-3] & CM-5000 [CM-5]

To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the CM-3 Blended Learning or CM-300 Crisis Management Implementer course and the CM-5 Blended Learning or CM-5000 Crisis Management Expert Implementer course.

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