[CM] [SIT] [E1] [C3] Establishing CM Goals

Chapter 3

Singapore Institute of Technology

Establishing organisational goals for Crisis Management (CM) is a critical requirement under ISO 22361, which emphasises the need for organisations to develop, maintain, and continually improve a strategic crisis management capability.

For the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), a modern autonomous university located within Singapore’s digitally integrated Punggol campus ecosystem, crisis management goals must reflect both institutional priorities and national expectations.

As a higher education institution with over 10,000 students and strong industry linkages, SIT operates in a complex environment where crises can arise from safety incidents, cyber threats, public health events, or reputational challenges.

Therefore, SIT’s crisis management goals must be aligned with:

• ISO 22361 principles (strategic, leadership-driven, and continuously improving CM capability)
• Singapore’s national crisis management frameworks (Whole-of-Government approach, SGSecure, Total Defence)
• Internal institutional priorities (student safety, academic continuity, stakeholder trust, and campus resilience)

Principles for Setting Crisis Management Goals

Under ISO 22361, organisational goals for crisis management should be strategically aligned, leadership-driven, and outcome-focused, with emphasis on preparedness, response, and recovery.

At the same time, Singapore’s national approach to crisis management is characterised by:

• Whole-of-Government coordination, where multiple agencies collaborate during crises
• Whole-of-Society resilience, guided by initiatives such as SGSecure and Total Defence
• Structured national response systems, such as DORSCON, for public health crises

Accordingly, SIT’s CM goals must reflect alignment across three layers:

• Strategic (ISO and governance-driven)
• Institutional (campus-specific risks and priorities)
• National (Singapore’s crisis response ecosystem)
  
  

Strategic Crisis Management Goals for SIT

The following organisational goals are recommended for SIT, structured in alignment with ISO 22361 and Singapore’s national CM policy context:

Goal 1: Ensure Leadership Commitment and Crisis Governance

SIT shall establish a clearly defined crisis governance structure led by senior management to ensure decisive leadership during crises.

Key Objectives

• Define roles, responsibilities, and escalation pathways for crisis decision-making
• Align crisis management objectives with SIT’s strategic direction
• Establish a Crisis Management Team (CMT) and supporting structures

Rationale

ISO 22361 highlights leadership as a core pillar, requiring top management to align objectives, allocate resources, and guide crisis response.

Goal 2: Protect Life, Safety, and Well-being of Stakeholders

SIT shall prioritise the safety and well-being of students, staff, visitors, and partners in all crisis scenarios.

Key Objectives

• Develop emergency response procedures for campus incidents
• Integrate national safety advisories (e.g., SGSecure “Run, Hide, Tell”)
• Ensure availability of medical, psychological, and welfare support

Rationale

Singapore’s crisis philosophy emphasises safeguarding lives and maintaining societal resilience through preparedness and community awareness.

Goal 3: Maintain Continuity of Academic and Critical Operations

SIT shall ensure the continuity of critical academic services and institutional functions during and after crises.

Key Objectives

• Identify critical services (e.g., teaching, examinations, digital learning platforms)
• Develop contingency plans (e.g., remote learning, alternative facilities)
• Ensure IT and digital infrastructure resilience

Rationale

Crisis management must extend beyond response to ensure continuity and recovery, preserving organisational viability.

Goal 4: Strengthen Crisis Preparedness and Risk Awareness

SIT shall embed a culture of preparedness through proactive risk identification, planning, and training.

Key Objectives

• Conduct risk assessments and scenario planning
• Implement early warning and monitoring mechanisms
• Carry out regular training, drills, and simulations

Rationale

Preparedness, anticipation, and prevention are fundamental phases of an effective crisis management framework.

Goal 5: Enable Effective Crisis Communication

SIT shall establish robust communication mechanisms to ensure timely, accurate, and coordinated information dissemination during crises.

Key Objectives

• Develop communication protocols for internal and external stakeholders
• Coordinate messaging with national authorities where required
• Manage media and public communications to protect institutional reputation

Rationale

Effective communication is essential for crisis leadership and stakeholder trust, particularly in a digitally connected campus environment.

Goal 6: Align with National Crisis Management Frameworks

SIT shall ensure its crisis management goals and plans are aligned with Singapore’s national frameworks and regulatory expectations.

Key Objectives

• Integrate Whole-of-Government coordination mechanisms into crisis plans
• Align with national alert systems (e.g., DORSCON for pandemics)
• Support national initiatives such as SGSecure and Total Defence

Rationale

Singapore’s crisis management operates through coordinated multi-agency structures, requiring institutions to align with national systems.

Goal 7: Build Organisational Resilience and Recovery Capability

SIT shall ensure rapid recovery and continuous improvement following crises.

Key Objectives

• Establish recovery strategies for academic and operational functions
• Conduct post-crisis reviews and lessons learned
• Continuously improve crisis management frameworks and capabilities

Rationale

ISO 22361 emphasises continual improvement and organisational learning as essential to long-term resilience.

Integrating Internal and National CM Policies

To operationalise these goals, SIT must integrate:

Internal Policies

• Institutional risk management framework
• Campus safety and emergency response policies
• IT security and data protection policies

National Policies and Frameworks

• Whole-of-Government crisis management structure
• SGSecure preparedness initiatives
• Total Defence resilience framework
• Sector-specific advisories (e.g., public health, cybersecurity)

This integration ensures that SIT’s crisis management goals are not developed in isolation, but are consistent with national expectations and coordinated response mechanisms.

 Establishing organisational goals for crisis management at SIT is a strategic exercise that bridges institutional priorities with national resilience frameworks.

Guided by ISO 22361, these goals must be leadership-driven, clearly defined, and continuously improved to address evolving threats.

By aligning its crisis management goals with Singapore’s Whole-of-Government approach and Whole-of-Society resilience principles, SIT can position itself as a crisis-ready campus—capable of protecting its stakeholders, maintaining academic continuity, and contributing to national resilience during times of disruption.