Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
How often do you rehearse your risk plans? Can you immediately unroll it in the event of a major unannounced event (California fires on my mind) Saving Changes...
Depends on the perceived severity (probability x impact) of a risk and the overall risk maturity of the organizational area. Assuming a contingency plan exists and the risk is perceived as being severe, such rehearsals do happen. However, often times, the rehearsals are mandated from the outside rather than from within - an example is annual fire safety drills.
Program Manager, PPM&PMO Specialist.| Coppel, Mexico.Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
In my current role, we don't have a formal process for rehearsing risk plans. While I recognize the value of these exercises, especially for major, unexpected events like the California fires, so far we don't have such impact in my current projects. However, in my previous positions, we conducted regular simulations and drills to test our preparedness and identify potential gaps in our plans.
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1 reply by Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Jan 16, 2025 2:06 AM
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
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Hi Francisco, Thanks for this... You have seen it across different organizations, I hope your new organization will inculcate the practice from your former organization
Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
I act the plan out as much as is practical. Often people write DM plans and expect they'll be followed when an actual emergency occurs. Practically speaking this rarely happens; things nearly never occur as predicted, and more importantly people tend to panic and forget their roles unless they were seriously drilled in their execution.
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1 reply by Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Jan 16, 2025 1:59 AM
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
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Thanks Eric.... I will emphasize on the serious drills in executiion
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Jan 14, 2025 11:43 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Kwiyuh -
Depends on the perceived severity (probability x impact) of a risk and the overall risk maturity of the organizational area. Assuming a contingency plan exists and the risk is perceived as being severe, such rehearsals do happen. However, often times, the rehearsals are mandated from the outside rather than from within - an example is annual fire safety drills.
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Jan 14, 2025 2:45 PM
Replying to Eric Simms
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I act the plan out as much as is practical. Often people write DM plans and expect they'll be followed when an actual emergency occurs. Practically speaking this rarely happens; things nearly never occur as predicted, and more importantly people tend to panic and forget their roles unless they were seriously drilled in their execution.
Thanks Eric.... I will emphasize on the serious drills in executiion Saving Changes...
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Jan 14, 2025 12:34 PM
Replying to Francisco Herrera
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In my current role, we don't have a formal process for rehearsing risk plans. While I recognize the value of these exercises, especially for major, unexpected events like the California fires, so far we don't have such impact in my current projects. However, in my previous positions, we conducted regular simulations and drills to test our preparedness and identify potential gaps in our plans.
Hi Francisco, Thanks for this... You have seen it across different organizations, I hope your new organization will inculcate the practice from your former organization Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Twice a week. In the case we are using agile based process in our daily meeting our focus are always risk and impediments to take a meet after just in case is needed. We are using from long time ago AI based tools to detect things like you stated scrapping existing information. Saving Changes...
Risk plans are only as strong as their readiness in action. In my experience, regular simulation exercises and scenario-based drills at least biannually are critical. The goal isn’t perfection, but muscle memory. A plan you can’t quickly activate under pressure is just paperwork.
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong This is an excellent and timely question.
The effectiveness of disaster and risk management plans depends not just on having a well-written document, but on how often and how rigorously those plans are actually rehearsed.
Many organizations fall into the trap of having a “plan on the shelf”: comprehensive on paper, but untested under real-world pressure.
Regular exercises—such as tabletop simulations, drills, and scenario-based “war games”—help teams uncover hidden gaps, clarify roles and responsibilities, and most importantly, build genuine confidence in their ability to respond.
Lessons from high-reliability organizations and frameworks like Toyota show that deliberate practice turns written procedures into real organizational reflexes.
In the face of sudden events—like the California fires or other major disruptions—the speed and quality of the response are determined less by the document itself and more by how deeply the plan has been internalized through lived preparation.
Beyond regular rehearsals, it is crucial to incorporate surprise elements and thorough after-action reviews to fuel continuous learning.
Ultimately, the key question is: Is the organization preparing to respond, or is it building a culture that learns before disaster strikes?
A vital topic for all project leaders, PMOs, and anyone facing real uncertainty.
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