What should be in a crisis communications plan?

A crisis communications plan should include these key elements:

• Risk Assessment: Identify potential crises, evaluate their likelihood and impact to keep the plan relevant.
• Crisis Communication Team: Define team members, roles, contact info, spokesperson(s), and backups.
• Communication Protocols: Clear guidelines on how to handle media, internal, stakeholder, and social media communications.
• Key Messages: Pre-drafted messages addressing cause, description, future plans, compassion, and protective advice.
• Stakeholder Identification: Know who needs to be informed internally and externally.
• Action Plan: Tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and approval processes for crisis response.
• Testing and Updating: Regularly test and refine the plan through drills or role-playing to ensure effectiveness.
• Strategy and Organization: Define objectives, audiences, guiding principles, contact lists, channels, and logistics.

These components ensure swift, coordinated, and clear communication during a crisis to protect the organization’s reputation and stakeholders.