Imagine your organization experiences an event that inflicts irreparable damage, only to realize that the situation could have been prevented or managed more effectively. Often, organizations can avert a crisis by proactively addressing minor incidents and situations in a timely manner. They can also mitigate the impact of a crisis, even if its occurrence cannot be entirely averted. This is achieved through the implementation of processes and procedures for preventing, preparing for, and responding to crises, collectively known as crisis management.
A crisis is an abnormal occurrence that jeopardizes an organization’s ongoing operations and may even result in its collapse. Such events can stem from natural causes or be human-made, encompassing scenarios like natural disasters, environmental concerns, acts of terrorism, cybersecurity breaches, and employee misconduct. Crises can erupt suddenly or evolve from unaddressed or improperly managed minor incidents. By enhancing their crisis management capabilities, organizations not only prepare for and prevent crises, but also handle them more effectively and glean valuable lessons for improvement.
What is ISO 22361?
ISO 22361 is a standard that offers guidance to organizations in developing, establishing, maintaining, monitoring, and continually enhancing their strategic crisis management capabilities. It delineates the principles and practices necessary for identifying and managing crises.
ISO 22361 recommends that organizations adopt a structured approach to crisis management by creating a crisis management framework based on leadership, structure, culture, and competence. It also emphasizes adherence to crisis management principles encompassing governance, strategy, risk management, decision-making, communication, ethics, and learning.
Furthermore, the standard outlines the crisis management process, consisting of seven essential steps: anticipation, assessment, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and continual improvement.
ISO 22361 guidelines prove valuable for identifying and managing crises within organizations of varying types, sizes, and industries. The standard is particularly intended for top management within organizations, as they bear strategic responsibilities for establishing and enhancing a crisis management capability, as well as for individuals working under their authority.
Why is crisis management important?
The significance of crisis management is paramount, as it directly influences your organization’s survival and reputation. Crisis management empowers organizations to implement standardized, effective procedures for recognizing and evaluating potential crises. This, in turn, enables them to establish protocols for averting crises. In situations where prevention is not viable, crisis management equips organizations to adeptly prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises.
Preparation for crises entails the development of a crisis management plan, which guides crisis management efforts and equips the organization with response protocols. Crisis response procedures enable organizations to make well-informed decisions under time constraints and conduct initial impact assessments to mitigate adverse crisis repercussions. Meanwhile, crisis recovery efforts help organizations restore their reputation, devise strategies for returning to normal operations, and adapt to potential changes stemming from the crisis.
Effective crisis management hinges on the establishment of robust communication channels and the formulation of a comprehensive communication plan. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, news spreads swiftly via online platforms. Therefore, it is imperative for organizations to maintain open and regular communication with relevant stakeholders, withholding no information pertinent to employees, customers, and other concerned parties. Failure to manage communication effectively can lead to irreparable damage to an organization’s reputation and, ultimately, its demise.
Finally, crisis management encompasses exercises and evaluations as integral components of ongoing improvement. Exercises enhance employee competence, preparing them to respond effectively in crisis situations. Moreover, by assessing employee performance during these exercises, organizations can pinpoint opportunities for enhancing their crisis management capabilities.
Benefits of ISO 22361
Organizations that establish a crisis management capability following ISO 22361 guidelines stand to gain several advantages, including:
- Sustaining, monitoring, and enhancing their crisis management capability.
- Securing leadership commitment to crisis management.
- Facilitating strategic decision-making before, during, and after a crisis.
- Establishing effective internal and external communication channels crucial during crises.
- Enhancing organizational resilience.
- Cultivating and promoting a culture of safety.