Business Continuity and Crisis Management

Certified Crisis Management Professional (CCMP)

This course equips professionals with the skills to manage crises effectively within organisations. Participants will learn to assess risks, develop response strategies, and implement recovery plans, ensuring organisational resilience and stakeholder confidence during emergencies, ultimately enhancing their crisis management capabilities.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Crisis situations can arise unexpectedly, impacting operations, reputation, and stakeholder trust. Professionals must be equipped to identify potential crises, assess their implications, and respond effectively to mitigate risks. This course addresses the critical need for structured crisis management skills in a volatile environment, enabling participants to develop proactive strategies that safeguard their organisations. By mastering crisis management principles, attendees will enhance their ability to lead teams, communicate effectively during emergencies, and implement recovery plans that restore normalcy. The skills gained will empower them to navigate complex situations with confidence and competence, ultimately ensuring business continuity and stakeholder assurance.

Engaging in practical exercises that simulate real-world crisis scenarios enhances participants' ability to make informed decisions under pressure. By developing comprehensive crisis management plans and response strategies, attendees will be better prepared to lead their organisations through emergencies, ensuring continuity and recovery. The course will also focus on stakeholder communication, enabling participants to craft messages that resonate and reassure during crises. This hands-on approach ensures that participants leave with actionable skills, ready to implement their learning in their respective roles. Ultimately, this training will foster a culture of preparedness, resilience, and effective crisis response within their organisations.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course employs a blend of case studies, simulations, and interactive workshops to build practical crisis management skills. Participants will analyse real-life scenarios to identify best practices and develop tailored response strategies. Each session culminates in a hands-on activity where participants create actionable crisis management plans, providing tangible evidence of their learning and capability. The use of role-playing and group discussions will enhance collaborative problem-solving skills, while feedback sessions will facilitate continuous improvement. Participants will engage in peer reviews, allowing them to refine their strategies based on diverse perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of crisis management principles and their application in real-world contexts.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Assess potential crisis scenarios and their impact on organisational operations to inform planning.
Design a comprehensive crisis management plan tailored to specific organisational needs and risks.
Evaluate communication strategies for effective stakeholder engagement during crises and emergencies.
Prioritise response actions based on risk assessment and organisational capacity to ensure timely action.
Construct recovery plans that ensure business continuity post-crisis, addressing operational impacts.
Justify the selection of crisis management tools and frameworks for specific scenarios and organisational contexts.
Analyse the effectiveness of crisis management drills and simulations to improve future responses.
Develop a post-crisis evaluation report that incorporates lessons learned and recommendations for improvement.

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Crisis Management Professionals responsible for organisational resilience and response.
Risk Managers focused on identifying and mitigating potential crises within their organisations.
Public Relations Specialists tasked with managing communication during emergencies and crises.
Operations Managers who need to ensure business continuity in crises and disruptions.

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Crisis risk assessment and analysis skills to identify vulnerabilities.
Crisis communication strategy development for effective stakeholder engagement.
Crisis response planning and execution capabilities to manage emergencies.
Stakeholder engagement and management during crises to maintain trust.
Post-crisis recovery and continuity planning expertise to restore operations.
Application of crisis management frameworks and tools to enhance preparedness.

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Understanding Crisis Management Fundamentals

Applied activity: Participants will analyse a case study of a recent crisis, identifying key factors that contributed to its escalation and response effectiveness. They will discuss lessons learned and best practices that could be applied in their organisations, focusing on leadership roles and communication strategies.

Output: A report summarising the case study analysis and proposed best practices for crisis management.

09:00–09:54Define crisis management and its importance in organisational contexts.
09:54–10:48Identify different types of crises and their characteristics and implications.
10:48–11:00Explore the crisis management lifecycle: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Explore the crisis management lifecycle: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery. (continued)
12:12–13:06Discuss the role of leadership in crisis management and decision-making.
13:06–14:00Examine the legal and ethical considerations involved in crisis situations.

Day 2Risk Assessment and Crisis Identification

Applied activity: Participants will work in groups to conduct a risk assessment for a fictional organisation, identifying potential crises and prioritising them based on their analysis. They will present their findings to the class, focusing on the most critical threats and their potential impacts on operations.

Output: A prioritised list of potential crises with supporting risk assessment documentation and rationale.

09:00–09:54Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential crises and their impacts.
09:54–10:48Utilise SWOT analysis to evaluate organisational vulnerabilities and strengths.
10:48–11:00Develop crisis scenarios based on risk assessment findings and prioritise them.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Develop crisis scenarios based on risk assessment findings and prioritise them. (continued)
12:12–13:06Create a crisis identification checklist for ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
13:06–14:00Discuss methods for continuously updating risk assessments and crisis scenarios.

Day 3Developing Crisis Response Strategies

Applied activity: Participants will develop a crisis response strategy for a selected crisis scenario, detailing team roles, communication plans, and decision-making protocols. They will present their strategies to peers for feedback and refinement, ensuring alignment with best practices in crisis management.

Output: A comprehensive crisis response strategy document outlining roles, plans, and protocols.

09:00–09:54Establish crisis response teams and define roles and responsibilities clearly.
09:54–10:48Create effective communication plans for internal and external stakeholders during crises.
10:48–11:00Develop decision-making protocols for crisis situations to ensure swift action.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Develop decision-making protocols for crisis situations to ensure swift action. (continued)
12:12–13:06Explore crisis management tools and technologies that enhance response capabilities.
13:06–14:00Simulate crisis response scenarios to test strategies and team effectiveness.

Day 4Implementing Crisis Management Plans

Applied activity: Participants will conduct a mock crisis drill based on their developed response strategies, evaluating team performance and communication effectiveness in real-time. They will identify areas for improvement during the debrief, focusing on lessons learned and necessary adjustments for future responses.

Output: A debrief report highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in crisis management.

09:00–09:54Learn best practices for implementing crisis management plans effectively across teams.
09:54–10:48Explore training and simulation exercises for crisis teams to enhance readiness.
10:48–11:00Assess the effectiveness of crisis management drills and identify areas for improvement.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Assess the effectiveness of crisis management drills and identify areas for improvement. (continued)
12:12–13:06Discuss the importance of adaptability in crisis response to changing situations.
13:06–14:00Review case studies of successful crisis management implementations and outcomes.

Day 5Post-Crisis Evaluation and Recovery Planning

Applied activity: Participants will create a post-crisis evaluation report for the mock crisis drill, outlining lessons learned and recommendations for future improvements. They will also draft a preliminary recovery plan based on the evaluation findings and feedback received during the debrief, ensuring comprehensive recovery strategies.

Output: A post-crisis evaluation report and a preliminary recovery plan that incorporates lessons learned.

09:00–09:54Conduct post-crisis evaluations to assess response effectiveness and outcomes.
09:54–10:48Develop recovery plans that address operational and reputational impacts post-crisis.
10:48–11:00Identify lessons learned and integrate them into future crisis planning processes.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Identify lessons learned and integrate them into future crisis planning processes. (continued)
12:12–13:06Explore the role of stakeholder feedback in recovery and improvement efforts.
13:06–14:00Create a framework for continuous improvement in crisis management practices.

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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