How do you use past crises to improve future operational planning?

1 Analyze the causes and effects

The first step to use past crises to improve future operational planning is to analyze what caused them and what effects they had on your business. This can help you identify the root problems, the gaps in your planning, the strengths and weaknesses of your response, and the impacts on your stakeholders. You can use tools such as root cause analysis, SWOT analysis, or after-action reviews to conduct a thorough and objective assessment of the crisis situation.

2 Implement corrective actions

The next step is to implement corrective actions based on the findings of your analysis. This can include revising your goals, strategies, policies, procedures, or systems to address the issues that led to the crisis or exacerbated its consequences. You can also use this opportunity to improve your communication, collaboration, and accountability within your team and with your external partners. You should document and communicate the changes you make and monitor their effectiveness.

3 Update your contingency plans

Another way to use past crises to improve future operational planning is to update your contingency plans. Contingency plans are alternative courses of action that you can take in case of unforeseen events or disruptions. They can help you minimize the risks, reduce the damages, and recover faster from a crisis. You should review your existing contingency plans and modify them based on the lessons learned from the past crises. You should also develop new contingency plans for scenarios that you have not anticipated before.

4 Train your staff

A crucial step to use past crises to improve future operational planning is to train your staff. Training can help you ensure that your staff have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to execute your operational plans and handle any crisis situations. You should provide regular and relevant training to your staff on topics such as crisis management, risk assessment, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication. You should also conduct simulations or drills to test your plans and staff performance.

5 Evaluate and improve

The final step to use past crises to improve future operational planning is to evaluate and improve. You should not stop learning from your past experiences, but rather use them as a basis for continuous improvement. You should measure and evaluate your operational performance and outcomes against your goals and standards. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback from your staff, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. You should then identify and implement areas for improvement and innovation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?