Source: Secure by Choice
Author: Sarah Aalborg
URL: https://securebychoice.com/blog/102392-crisis-plans-for-people
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## ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
Effective IT contingency plans should be simple, clear, and actionable, accounting for instinctual, stress-driven decision-making during crises.
## MAIN POINTS:
1. Crisis situations activate System 1 thinking, driven by stress hormones, leading to instinctual rather than rational decisions.
2. System 1, likened to a panicked elephant, overrides the logical System 2 during high-pressure scenarios.
3. IT contingency plans must be designed for simplicity, clarity, and ease of execution under stress.
4. Short agendas, step-by-step action cards, and clear role assignments are essential for effective crisis management.
5. Regular training ensures plans are familiar, functional, and refined for real-world use.
6. Repetition builds familiarity, reducing decision-making energy during crises and enhancing focus on critical tasks.
7. Overly complex, text-heavy plans can paralyze decision-making in high-stress situations.
8. Tools like LIX calculators help create readable, straightforward plans for better comprehension.
9. Address cognitive biases like tyranny of choice, overconfidence, and the bandwagon effect in your planning.
10. Always provide alternative solutions (Plan B and C) to counteract cognitive biases and ensure adaptability.
## TAKEAWAYS:
1. Simplify your IT contingency plan to accommodate instinct-driven decision-making during crises.
2. Use training and repetition to build familiarity and readiness for high-pressure scenarios.
3. Include actionable steps, clear roles, and visual overviews to reduce complexity and confusion.
4. Counter cognitive biases by limiting options, preparing checklists, and planning alternatives.
5. Design plans with stressed, overwhelmed decision-makers in mind for maximum usability.
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