What strategies can you use to develop a contingency plan if your initial approach to problem solving fails?

1 Identify the root cause

The first step to developing a contingency plan is to identify why your initial approach did not work. Was it based on faulty assumptions, incomplete information, or unrealistic goals? Did you encounter unexpected obstacles, risks, or changes? Did you overlook any alternatives, perspectives, or feedback? By analyzing the root cause of your problem, you can learn from your mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future.

2 Evaluate your options

The next step is to evaluate your options for solving the problem. You may need to revise your initial approach, adopt a different method, or combine multiple strategies. You may also need to consult experts, seek additional data, or test your hypotheses. To evaluate your options, you can use criteria such as feasibility, effectiveness, efficiency, and impact. You can also use tools such as SWOT analysis, decision matrix, or pros and cons list to compare and contrast your options.

3 Develop a backup plan

The third step is to develop a backup plan for your chosen option. A backup plan is a set of actions that you can take if your option fails or encounters difficulties. A backup plan can help you minimize the negative consequences of failure, recover quickly, and maintain your momentum. To develop a backup plan, you can identify the potential challenges, risks, and uncertainties that may affect your option, and then plan how to prevent, mitigate, or overcome them.

4 Communicate your plan

The fourth step is to communicate your plan to the relevant stakeholders. Stakeholders are the people who are affected by or involved in your problem solving process, such as your team members, clients, managers, or partners. Communicating your plan can help you gain their support, feedback, and collaboration. To communicate your plan effectively, you can use clear and concise language, tailor your message to your audience, and use visual aids such as charts, diagrams, or timelines.

5 Implement and monitor your plan

The fifth step is to implement and monitor your plan. Implementation is the process of executing your plan and achieving your desired outcomes. Monitoring is the process of tracking your progress and evaluating your results. To implement and monitor your plan successfully, you can use tools such as action plans, checklists, or schedules to organize your tasks, resources, and deadlines. You can also use tools such as surveys, metrics, or reports to measure your performance, feedback, and impact.

6 Review and update your plan

The sixth step is to review and update your plan. Reviewing is the process of reflecting on your plan and learning from your experience. Updating is the process of adjusting your plan based on your review and new information. To review and update your plan effectively, you can use tools such as after-action reviews, lessons learned, or SWOT analysis to identify what worked well, what did not work well, and what can be improved. You can also use tools such as brainstorming, research, or benchmarking to generate new ideas, insights, or best practices.

7 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?