What is Operational Readiness?

SI - Behind the Superdome Blackout

The NFL has engaged Guidepost Solutions for the past 11 Super Bowls to prepare for the "Problems they might encounter".  We look at all plans, develop contingencies and run decision making exercises to ensure Operational Readiness.  Frank Supovitz, Eric Grubman and Doug Thornton mentioned in the SI article "Behind the Superdome Blackout" were all participants of our exercise before Super Bowl in New Orleans and referred to as part of the preparation.  While the exercise couldn't solve an unknown power outage, it did ensure "NFL Control" was prepared to manage the problem and get back to normal operations as soon as possible.  

I was in NFL Control that night and also with Supovitz, Grubman and Thornton when we met with Entergy after the lights came back on.  Everyone involved did a great job managing a very challenging problem, largely because they practiced that level of problem solving in advance of the situation we faced.