Crisis Preparedness Audit
A systematic evaluation of an organization's readiness to respond effectively to potential reputation threats.
Definition
Crisis preparedness audits assess existing plans, team capabilities, and response infrastructure. They identify gaps between current readiness and best practice standards.
Audits typically examine scenario planning, communication protocols, spokesperson training, monitoring systems, and stakeholder communication frameworks.
Why It Matters
Preparation determines crisis outcomes more than response brilliance. Organizations that audit regularly respond faster and more effectively when crises occur.
For leadership, audit findings justify investment in crisis infrastructure before problems emerge.
Examples in Practice
A financial services firm's audit revealed no after-hours crisis protocols—a gap addressed before a weekend data breach occurred. A consumer brand's audit identified untrained regional spokespeople who could amplify problems.
Annual audits often include tabletop exercises that test plans against realistic scenarios.