Answer to Question 1
The core values of an organization play an important role in all aspects of crisis planning. They
identify the limits within which the organization is willing to operate. They also provide guidance in
deciding what is important and who the most important stakeholders are. Crisis planning is not just a
practical matter; it is an ethical matter, as well. Considering the consequences - to those both inside
and outside of the organization - of being ill prepared, there is a moral obligation to plan for the
worst. Many organizations plan only technical contingencies required for responding to a potential
crisis. They should also be prepared to address the public perceptions that will arise.
Answer to Question 2
Were our actions during and after the crisis consistent with our organization's values? What aspects
of the crisis plan did our plan anticipate? How can we build upon these successes? What aspects of
the crisis did our plan fail to anticipate? What changes do we need to make? How well did our
employees perform? Were they adequately trained? What are the lingering effects of the crisis? Are
there follow-up actions we should take? How have our stakeholders' views of the organization
changed since the onset of the crisis? What actions can either take advantage of new opportunities
created by the crisis or repair damage created by it?