50+ Sample Contingency Plans

What Is a Contingency Plan?

A contingency plan or otherwise stated as a backup plan, is a way of doing things when the original plan of action crumbles and fails. It can be seen as an approach to the problem, method of solving the problem and the procedure to solve the problem. It is highly related to risk management. A good and competitive leader always has a contingency plan, because they know that there could be hindrances in the progress of a company or an organization.

Basic Elements of a Contingency Plan

Subject or title: In order to have a detailed plan b, you must first know the topic or the subject of the document. Is it for a disaster and natural calamity? In our time today many organizations come up with a plan purely for the pandemic. Another field where this is applicable is business. They devise a plan in order to avoid unnecessary risks.Summary: Without proper knowledge of what the complications are, a contingency plan will surely fail addressing the problem. Extensive research on a problem will result in a detailed back up plan.Assumptions: Now that you have knowledge on the issue, what are the risks that may fall upon your company or organization? List out all the possible complications that may happen in the future. It is highly advisable to categorize and relate them with one another. Refrain from writing a general term or problem. It is better to be specific in addressing each problem.Response: What will be the plan of action in each problem that may occur? For each item on the assumption list, there should be corresponding response or approach in solving the issue.

How to Prepare and Write a Contingency Plan?

Contingency plans can be used for many different fields. However, the procedure of creating one still stays the same.

Step 1: Resources

The first thing to understand is the resource you need to protect. For a country or a company the main priority is the manpower. Without manpower a business or a country will not progress. Other resources are food and water, tools, products and data.

Step 2: Analysis of Risks

In constructing a back-up plan, it is crucial to know and understand the unique risk that may fall upon your organization or country. Ask yourself, what are the events that may hinder or slow down your progress. Risk analysis will help you to be aware of any problems or complications that may happen in the near future.

Step 3: Rank Them in Order

In line with being prepared, you will have a long list of all the possible risks. Having a long list will result in a disorganized document. It will be hard to act in accordance with the document if it is unsystematic.

Step 4: Plan of Action

This will primarily answer the question: What should we do in return? This involves how you will approach or address the problem, what method you will use and what will be the step by step procedure to solve the problem. In constructing the response section of your contingency plan, it is highly advisable to also input what you can do to prepare ahead of time and how you can avoid the problem. 

As we all know prevention is better than cure. But, in some cases, there are no indications where and when a pandemic or natural calamity may occur. Nevertheless, being prepared for these kinds of situations is the best approach.

FAQs

What are the possible risks that a business may encounter?

The most common risks for a business are loss of data and breach of data.

What are the 5 steps in planning?

The 5 steps in planning are:

1)Know your position or condition

2) Know your priorities

3) Formulate a plan

4) Control and carry out the plan

5) Update the plan as you see fit

What is the difference between a strategic plan and contingency plan?

A strategic plan is the step by step procedure of attaining the goal of the organization. It is mainly made up of the list of activities and the timeline for those activities. On the other hand, a contingency plan or a back-up plan, comes only in effect when the country or a company is in danger or at risk due to certain problems.

What are examples of a contingency plan?

A contingency plan can be used in many different fields. Some examples are disaster, infrastructure failure, environment, economy and business.

Having a contingency plan for an unforeseen force of nature is very crucial. When in peril and at risk, people tend to panic and breakdown. It is not possible to have a sound judgement when it concerns your health and safety. It is no surprise that when faced with a stronger external force, people are helpless and powerless. Being prepared is the winning factor between a matter of life and death.