Crisis Response Brief

When to use this

Designed to be filled in as the situation unfolds. Avoids the trap of acting on rumour. Used by the crisis team chair to keep the executive group anchored to facts and decisions.

What’s included

• 1. What we know (facts only)
• 2. What we don't yet know
• 3. Who's affected
• 4. Stakeholders to update next, and by when
• 5. Decisions needed now
• 6. Next checkpoint
• 7. Spokesperson and lines
• Running log

What to customise before you use it

• Replace Code or descriptor with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Time with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Name with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Fact with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Open question with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Scope with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Notified / not yet with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace N with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Names with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Call / room / written update with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.

# Crisis Response Brief

**Incident name:** [Code or descriptor]   **First detected:** [Time]   **This brief at:** [Time]   **Author:** [Name]

## 1. What we know (facts only)
- [Time]: [Fact]
- [Time]: [Fact]
- [Time]: [Fact]

## 2. What we don't yet know
- [Open question]
- [Open question]

## 3. Who's affected
- Customers: [Scope]
- Employees: [Scope]
- Partners: [Scope]
- Regulators / authorities: [Notified / not yet]

## 4. Stakeholders to update next, and by when
| Stakeholder | Channel | Owner | Done by |
|--------------|---------|-------|---------|
|              |         |       |         |

## 5. Decisions needed now
| # | Decision | Owner | Latest by |
|---|----------|-------|-----------|
|   |          |       |           |

## 6. Next checkpoint
- When: [Time, in [N] minutes]
- Attendees: [Names]
- Format: [Call / room / written update]
- Goal of next checkpoint: [Specific outcome]

## 7. Spokesperson and lines
- Spokesperson: [Name only — single voice]
- Holding line if pressed: "[Pre-agreed wording]"
- No off-the-record statements

## Running log
[All times and actions logged below as the incident unfolds.]

| Time | Action / decision | By |
|------|--------------------|----|
|      |                    |    |