[CM] Objectives of CM Simulation

Objectives of CM Simulation

The test objectives of a crisis management simulation define what the exercise aims to evaluate, validate, or improve.

These objectives guide the design, execution, and evaluation of the simulation.

Pre-reading for Participants Attending Module 4 of the CM-5000 Crisis Management Expert Implementer Course

Below are the key test objectives, categorised for clarity:

Validate Crisis Plans & Procedures

• Test the effectiveness of the crisis management plan (CM Plan), including escalation protocols, roles, and responsibilities.

• Verify compliance with regulatory or industry standards (e.g., ISO 22361, Central Bank regulation, or company policies).

• Check alignment between departmental plans (e.g., IT disaster recovery vs. corporate crisis response).

Example

"Does the incident response team activate within 15 minutes per the CM Plan?"

Assess Decision-Making Under Pressure

• Evaluate leadership’s ability to make timely, data-driven decisions in ambiguity.

• Test prioritisation of critical actions (e.g., employee safety vs. reputational damage).

• Identify decision bottlenecks (e.g., over-reliance on one person).

Example

"Can the CEO balance operational shutdown demands vs. shareholder expectations?"

Test Communication & Coordination

• Internal Comms: Are roles clearly understood? Does the chain of command hold?

• External Comms: How well does PR manage media, social media, and stakeholders?

• Cross-functional coordination: Does IT work seamlessly with legal/PR during a data breach?

Example

"Does the team use pre-approved messaging templates or improvise under stress?"

Evaluate Resource Readiness

• People: Are backup responders trained?

• Technology: Do emergency systems (e.g., mass notification tools) function?

• Physical resources: Are emergency supplies (e.g., backup generators) accessible?

Example

"During a simulated power outage, does the backup site have updated data backups?"

Identify Gaps & Weaknesses

• Process gaps (e.g., missing steps in evacuation plans).

• Knowledge gaps (e.g., team unfamiliar with crisis protocols).

• Technical failures (e.g., emergency contact lists are outdated).

Example

"Did the team fail to notify regulators within the mandated 72-hour window?"

Build Team Competence & Confidence

• Familiarise teams with crisis scenarios to reduce panic.

• Improve muscle memory for high-stress responses.

• Reinforce training (e.g., media handling, incident reporting).

Example

"After the simulation, can spokespersons deliver clear, empathetic statements?"

Stress-Test Systems & Technology

• IT resilience: Can systems handle surge demands (e.g., VPN crashes during remote work)?

• Data integrity: Are backups recoverable?

• Cybersecurity: Does the SOC (Security Operations Centre) detect/respond to simulated attacks?

Example

"During a simulated ransomware attack, does the IT team isolate infected systems within 30 minutes?"

Measure Recovery & Continuity Capabilities

• Business continuity: Can critical operations resume within RTO (Recovery Time Objective)?

• Reputation recovery: How quickly can PR mitigate brand damage?

Example

"Does the company resume 80% of operations within 4 hours post-simulation?"

How to Define Your Simulation’s Test Objectives

1. Align with risks: Focus on top threats (e.g., cyberattacks for tech firms, supply chain disruptions for manufacturers).

2. Prioritise by impact: Test scenarios with severe operational/financial consequences.

3. Use SMART criteria: Ensure objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Example SMART Objective

"Verify that the crisis team can assess, decide, and communicate a response to a factory fire within 60 minutes, per the CM Plan."

Post-Simulation Evaluation

Compare outcomes against objectives to:

• Update CM plans.

• Schedule targeted training.

• Invest in missing resources (e.g., comms tools).

 

Types of Crisis Management Exercises
Design and Develop Crisis Management Exercises

 

More Information About Crisis Management Courses

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

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