GOOOAAALLL

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GOOOAAALLL!

The basis of planning is deciding and defining deliverables. In this case, the deliverables are:

• Avoidance of the critical incident

• Transferring critical incident

• Postponing the incident or mitigating the incident's effects

Critical incident analysis consists of two parts: information collection and analysis. Data collected should be a comprehensive snapshot of critical business processes, including the infrastructure supporting mechanisms. Practice good program design. Before embarking on any plan, be certain to review the business' strategic plan. Of course, there are many different names for this business plan. It could be something as simple as the business plan the bank required before granting the business its last loan; or it could be the grand strategic plan presented at the last stockholders' meeting. Regardless, it is strongly recommended that careful review is made concerning the details of this plan before initiating any type of risk management program. Consider the alternative: if you take the time to develop a plan and program that are not congruous with business operations, who is going to support it? In addition to a lack of support, imagine the embarrassment of presenting a risk management plan and someone discovers that it is at odds with the company's goals.

The most important step to be taken at this time is project ownership and leadership. You need to have a project owner. Who better to accept the task than the program's originator? Step up and accept the responsibility. You are also going to need an executive sponsor for the risk program. This person needs to be passionate about the project's value, a real fanatic. If mere lip service is your sponsor's attitude, you need to find another sponsor because you are increasing your odds of failure.

With the project's orientation matching the organization's goals, an enthusiastic executive sponsor, and you in the driver's seat, you are ready to begin to put your plan together. This means you have selected your deliverables, and will begin to select your team to devise the plan and develop the program.

Experience Note 

Function is more important than form.

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