What are the steps to conduct a post-crisis review?

1 Define the scope

The first step is to define the scope of the review, which means deciding what aspects of the crisis response and communication you want to examine. You should consider the objectives, timeline, budget, and resources of the review, as well as the key questions you want to answer. For example, you may want to focus on how well you followed your crisis plan, how you engaged with the media and the public, how you managed internal communication and coordination, and how you measured the impact of the crisis.

2 Gather the data

The next step is to gather the data that will help you answer your key questions. You should use a variety of sources and methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, document analysis, media monitoring, and social media analytics. You should also collect feedback from different stakeholders, such as employees, customers, partners, regulators, and experts. You should aim to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as positive and negative feedback.

3 Analyze the data

The third step is to analyze the data and identify the main findings, themes, and patterns. You should use appropriate tools and techniques, such as SWOT analysis, gap analysis, root cause analysis, and benchmarking. You should also compare your data with your objectives, expectations, and best practices. You should look for the strengths and weaknesses of your crisis response and communication, as well as the opportunities and threats for the future.

4 Report the results

The fourth step is to report the results of your analysis in a clear, concise, and comprehensive way. You should use a format and style that suits your audience and purpose, such as a report, a presentation, or a dashboard. You should also use visuals, such as charts, graphs, and tables, to illustrate your findings. You should highlight the key takeaways, recommendations, and action items from your review, as well as the evidence and rationale behind them.

5 Implement the changes

The fifth step is to implement the changes that you recommended in your report. You should prioritize the most urgent and impactful actions, and assign roles and responsibilities for each one. You should also set deadlines, milestones, and indicators to monitor the progress and outcomes of your changes. You should communicate your changes to your stakeholders, and seek their feedback and support.

6 Review the process

The final step is to review the process of conducting the post-crisis review itself, and evaluate how well you performed it. You should assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of your review, and identify the lessons learned, best practices, and areas for improvement. You should also document your review process, and share your insights and experiences with others who may benefit from them.

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?