Best Possible Outcome

CHAPTER 19EXECUTE THE PLAN, MONITOR THE BATTLE, REFLECT AND REGROUP

In this chapter we discuss how to ensure actions are undertaken as planned, changes to the situation are monitored and lessons learned along the way are recorded.

This is where planning turns into action. There are no set formulae or rules for how this occurs. Some organisations use a pro forma system where tasks are outlined and results are recorded, with the results circulated within the team prior to each subsequent meeting. Others use a more informal process of verbal updates at the next meeting. The right approach for your organisation is the one that works best to provide fast and efficient execution of the plan and feedback to the command team.

The other key aspect of this stage is the monitoring of changes to the situation, specifically but not limited to:

• more information that has become available
• the involvement of additional actors
• competitor and stakeholder reaction to the situation.

Trusted sources of information should be monitored through this stage to ensure new information can be considered at subsequent meetings.

STAND DOWN: WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS CALM DOWN

Inevitably, the response will reach a stage where it no longer requires the same level of resources or focus. The situation has been resolved or managed to a point that it no longer warrants a crisis response. Your strategic outcomes ...