How do you overcome resistance to contingency planning in your organization?

Contingency planning is the process of preparing for potential disruptions, risks, or crises that could affect your organization's operations, reputation, or goals. It involves identifying and assessing the possible scenarios, developing and testing alternative plans, and communicating and implementing them when needed. Contingency planning can help your organization cope with uncertainty, minimize losses, and seize opportunities. However, it also faces some challenges and barriers that can hinder its effectiveness. In this article, we will explore some of the common obstacles to contingency planning and how to overcome them.

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1 Lack of support

One of the main challenges to contingency planning is the lack of support from senior management, stakeholders, or employees. Some may view contingency planning as a waste of time, resources, or money, or as a sign of pessimism, negativity, or distrust. They may also resist change, fear losing control, or prefer to deal with problems as they arise. To overcome this barrier, you need to demonstrate the value and benefits of contingency planning, such as reducing costs, enhancing performance, or increasing resilience. You also need to involve and engage the relevant parties in the planning process, solicit their feedback, and address their concerns.

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Christopher Stitt, CEM, CPP, RPP, MCP, F.ISRM, SRMCP

Helping You Navigate Risk… And Prepare for What’s Next - Global Security | Crisis Management | Business Continuity | Leadership Development | Adjunct Faculty | Author
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One of the ways I have managed to garner support for contingency planning is to find scenarios that make it personal,”what would it look like if “x” happened to [you, the company, the community].” There are plentiful examples of both successful and failed responses to draw on with similarities to the person or group you are trying to influence. Find those examples and run a thought exercise as part of a conversation or presentation. One of the major obstacles to overcome is the “that will never happen to us” syndrome. Ask, “why not” and have them articulate how they are already prepared, have plans in place, or help them understand that wishful thinking is not a plan and hope is not a preparedness strategy.

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2 Complexity and uncertainty

Another challenge to contingency planning is the complexity and uncertainty of the external and internal environment. It can be difficult to anticipate and account for all the possible factors, events, or outcomes that could affect your organization. Moreover, the situation may change rapidly or unpredictably, requiring constant monitoring and updating of the plans. To overcome this barrier, you need to conduct a thorough and systematic analysis of the environment, using various tools and methods, such as SWOT, PESTLE, or scenario planning. You also need to prioritize the most critical and likely risks, and establish clear and flexible criteria and triggers for activating the plans.

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3 Lack of resources

A third challenge to contingency planning is the lack of resources, such as time, money, staff, or equipment. Contingency planning can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring dedicated and skilled personnel, adequate funding, and appropriate technology. However, some organizations may face resource constraints, competing priorities, or budget cuts that limit their ability to plan effectively. To overcome this barrier, you need to allocate and justify the necessary resources for contingency planning, based on a cost-benefit analysis. You also need to optimize the use of existing resources, leverage external support, or outsource some tasks if needed.

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4 Lack of coordination

A fourth challenge to contingency planning is the lack of coordination among different departments, units, or functions within your organization. Contingency planning requires a high degree of collaboration and communication across the organization, as well as with external partners, such as suppliers, customers, or regulators. However, some organizations may face silos, conflicts, or gaps that hamper their coordination and integration. To overcome this barrier, you need to establish a clear and consistent governance structure and process for contingency planning, with defined roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities. You also need to foster a culture of trust, transparency, and teamwork, and use effective tools and channels for communication and information sharing.

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Craig Sutherland MA GCGI psc(j)

C-Level Executive, Operational Strategist & Planner, C-UAS, Transformation Specialist, SaaS, Cyber Security, AI, Customer Success Specialist, Partnership Specialist, Key Note Public Speaker (Leadership), Veteran.
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Arguably, if this is a barrier to contingency planning within your organisation, then there is a good chance that your business is already in trouble. Lack of coordination and communication between departments is a recipe for disaster for any part of your operation, never mind the contingency planning side of things, so pressing on with any planning and coordination activity is not only going to help you formulate a plan, but also start getting teams to see the value of talking and working together.

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5 Lack of testing and evaluation

A fifth challenge to contingency planning is the lack of testing and evaluation of the plans. Contingency planning is not a one-time activity, but a continuous cycle of improvement and learning. It is essential to test and evaluate the plans regularly, using simulations, drills, or audits, to ensure their validity, feasibility, and reliability. However, some organizations may neglect or postpone this step, due to complacency, overconfidence, or resource constraints. To overcome this barrier, you need to schedule and conduct regular testing and evaluation of the plans, using realistic and relevant scenarios and criteria. You also need to collect and analyze feedback and data, and make adjustments and updates as needed.

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How do you overcome resistance to contingency planning in your organization?

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1 Lack of support

2 Complexity and uncertainty

3 Lack of resources

4 Lack of coordination

5 Lack of testing and evaluation

Contingency Planning

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